Guest guest Posted August 6, 2002 Report Share Posted August 6, 2002 Perhaps the rest of Europe, and then perhaps the world, will soon follow suit..... ____ 20 May '02 Germany Becomes an Animal Kingdom Germany has become the first European nation to enshrine animal rights in its constitution. The country's lower house, the Bundestag, voted overwhelmingly in favor of adding the words 'and animals' to a clause that obliges the state to protect the 'the natural foundations of life in the interest of future generations'. Animals already enjoy rights relating to the conditions in which they can be kept but this new measure will restrict their use in experiments and for testing cosmetic and drugs. Germany's upper house, the Bundesrat, is expected to endorse the vote in June. The issue has been keenly debated in German politics for almost a decade and has been hailed as groundbreaking by the Green party, a powerful force in German politics. Animal rights activists say they will use the constitutional amendments to end long transport routes for animals. Politicians also signaled that there would be an increase in funding for scientific projects seeking alternatives to using animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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