‘Animal crush’ videos
13.3.2012
Question for written answer E-002834/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
David Martin (S&D)
Is the Commission aware of the existence of ‘animal crush’ videos which are posted on the Internet and depict extreme cruelty towards animals, including torture, for the sexual gratification of the viewer? In these videos animals have been seen to be burned alive, cut with pruning shears, nailed to the floor, skinned alive, beaten, stabbed and/or have their limbs broken.
StopCrush.org is an organisation which campaigns to promote awareness of these videos and influence legislators to ban them.
Progress has already been made in the US with a view to banning these videos when President Obama ratified the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010. In February Greece passed a bill which prohibited the production of audiovisual material which shows acts of violence towards animals for profit or sexual gratification. Following these acts in the US and Greece, does the Commission:
- 1.know of any existing legislation which prohibits the production of audiovisual material depicting cruelty to animals for the purpose of sexual gratification and how it is enforced?
- 2.consider that legislation is required to outlaw the production and distribution of these videos, which contravenes Article 13 of the TFEU on animal welfare?
OJ C 117 E, 24/04/2013