Sweden puts animal rights on the political map

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Sweden puts animal rights on the political map

 

STOCKHOLM, May 29 (AFP) - Sweden called Tuesday for the creation of a new animal

welfare authority as it opened a two-day EU conference focusing on ways to

ensure humane treatment of animals in Europe and discussion on why such a goal

is central to a civilized society.

 

" Animals are sentient beings with an intrinsic worth, " Swedish Agricultural

Minister Margareta Winberg said in an address at the start of the conference,

attended by around 350 representatives of animal welfare groups, industry,

government and other experts from throughout Europe.

 

The Swedish minister, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency

until June 30, said short-term economic objectives must not be pursued at the

cost of mistreatment of animals and urged a " general mind-set in society that we

must care for and protect animals. "

 

" A Swedish answer to these important questions is that we need an animal

ombudsman or an animal welfare authority " to ensure that animal's rights were

protected and to promote awareness of animal welfare issues, she said.

 

Winberg said she planned to introduce new animal protection legislation in

Sweden in next year's parliamentary session and added she hoped the Stockholm

conference would help bring about " a higher level of animal protection in

Europe. "

 

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