Eurogroup for Animals is an organisation based in Brussels, Belgium, which seeks to improve the treatment of animals throughout the European Union, and represents animal welfare organisations in almost all the European member states. Since it was launched in 1980, the organisation has succeeded in encouraging the European Union to adopt higher legal standards of animal protection.
It provides advice and expertise on animal welfare to various European institutions, such as the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. It also provides the secretariat of the European Parliamentary Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, which meets at the European Parliament in Strasbourg once a month.
Eurogroup for Animals also works closely together with retailers to encourage them to adopt higher standards of animal welfare. In addition they campaign to improve the situation of farm animals, research animals, and wild animals. In 2008, the group led a campaign to prevent cloning for food being approved in the European Union
History
British animal welfare organisation RSPCA took the initiative to set up Eurogroup for Animals after noticing more and more legislation relating to animals was being decided at a European level. Thus in 1980 Eurogroup for Animals was launched becoming the first coalition of animal welfare groups in Europe. It is also one of the longest established non-governmental organisations in Brussels. Over the years Eurogroup for Animals has grown to represent animal welfare organisations in nearly all countries of the European Union.
It seized on the European Union’s expansion into central and east Europe to support animal welfare organisations there. International organisations such as International Fund for Animal Welfare, Compassion in World Farming and World Animal Protection are now also members of Eurogroup for Animals.