Study Day for Flemish Animal Welfare Code Review, June 20, 2024

On June 20, 2024, the University of Ghent, in collaboration with the Gandaius Academy and the Flemish Association for Environmental Law, hosted an event focused on the Flemish Animal Welfare Code, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025. The event featured expert presentations and discussions on the new code’s implications, enforcement challenges, and the impact on animal welfare in Flanders. Key speakers included representatives from animal welfare authorities, police, academia, and advocacy organizations, all working toward a deeper understanding of the new legal landscape.
On June 20, 2024, the University of Ghent hosted an event in collaboration with the Gandaius Academy and the Flemish Association for Environmental Law. This gathering was dedicated to studying the Flemish Animal Welfare Code, which was ratified on May 17, 2024 and will come into effect on January 1, 2025. This code is a milestone in legislation, marking the first time that Flanders has established its own animal welfare code.

Our Chief Animal Officer, Jennifer Dubrulle, moderated the event and also shared her insights as a speaker. The day was marked by expert presentations and stimulating discussions.

The event was graced by nine experts who represented various perspectives from the Flemish animal welfare community, from welfare authorities and animal protection organizations to the Flemish Animal Welfare Council, enforcement bodies, and academia.

Professor Nadine Buys shared the advices of the Flemish Animal Welfare Council, that had a significant impact on or were drafted on topics included in the code. Nektaria Moskofidis, Animal welfare advisor to the Flemish animal welfare minister, gave an overview of the Flemish Animal Welfare Code. Jasmien De Cock, Animal Welfare Police Inspector of the Dilbeek Police Zone, shed light on the challenges in enforcing the provisions of the Code, especially those that are open to interpretation.

Michel Vandenbosch, President of GAIA, discussed the political intricacies that influenced the outcome of the Code. Our very own Jennifer Dubrulle, using data on the Flemish Animal Population, analyzed the impact of the new legislation on animals.

Matthys Samyn, Alderman of Animal Welfare of the Flemish municipality of Roeselare, shared his unique animal welfare initiatives, including an animal food bank and a communal animal platform. Anthony Godfroid, a Belgian animal lawyer, examined a recent judgement of the Belgian Court of Cassation that limits the ability of animal welfare organizations to litigate for animals.

Elien Verniers and Eva Bernet Kempers, both postdoctoral researchers at the University of Antwerp and Ghent, respectively, presented on the code’s farm animal provisions and the intrinsic value of animals. The two latter speakers are not only academics but set up an initiative, the Harrison Collectief, to protect animals via the legal system.

Our objective of gathering the Flemish animal welfare community to comprehend and navigate the new legal landscape was attained. The intricacies of the new Flemish Animal Welfare Code were highlighted, emphasizing both the progressive opportunities it brings and the practical challenges for its implementation. It was a valuable day and we look forward t;o facilitating more such events that foster dialogue, exchange of views, and collaboration among the various stakeholders in the (Flemish) animal welfare community