A legally binding Protocol, recognising animals as sentient beings, was added to the Treaty of Amsterdam. When the Treaty of Lisbon was agreed in 2008, the Protocol was upgraded to an Article within the Treaty.

It is now Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union:

In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.

Not only does this recognise animals as sentient beings, but it calls on the Union itself and Member States, to “pay full regard” to the welfare of animals in agriculture, transport, fisheries etc.

This big win helped animal welfare campaigners to secure major improvements in EU law, such as a ban of barren battery cages for hens, the end to near-permanent confinement of sows and the partial ban of the horrifically restrictive veal crate.

It is incumbent upon Europe’s policymakers to entrench the recognition that animals are sentient beings in more rigorous enforcement of current animal protection legislation, and to strengthen future provisions for the protection and welfare of animals.

Joyce D’Silva is our former CEO and currently our Ambassador Emeritus