Animals as sentient beings

10.4.2015

Question for written answer E-005770-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL) , Klaus Buchner (Verts/ALE) , Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL) , Lola Sánchez Caldentey (GUE/NGL) , Takis Hadjigeorgiou (GUE/NGL) , Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL) , Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL)

As you will know, the notion of animal sentience has been enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, introduced in Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty. However, in practice very little has been done to ensure that animals are in fact treated as sentient beings.

Since the entry into force in 2009 of the Lisbon Treaty, animals have continued to be described in EU legislation only as meat, commodities or products, never as sentient beings. This in itself is a breach of Article 13.

What is the Commission’s view on how to better implement Article 13?