13 October 2011 – Keith Taylor, Green MEP for Sussex and the South East, yesterday (Wednesday 12 October) received a visit from students at Downlands Community School in Hassocks, West Sussex who are concerned about the poor animal welfare standards in many European zoos. After their visit Keith tabled a formal ‘written question’ (1) in the parliament to raise the students’ concerns with the European Commission.
Keith said: “The students of Downlands Community School and I believe that the EU must do more to guarantee that all animals in European zoos, of which the EU Zoo Inquiry estimates there to be 3,500, are provided with the conditions that meet their needs. I’ve tabled a formal Written Question to ask the European Commission to inform me and my constituents what actions are being taking to encourage and safeguard appropriate welfare standards for animals in zoos.”
The 36 students from Downlands Community School have been working with the Horsham based wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation on the charity’s EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 campaign. The campaign looks at the poor zoo conditions which many wild animals are kept in (2).
Keith said: “Today’s visit by students from Downlands Community School is an important part of the democratic process. Politicans need to hear from their constituents about the issues that matter to them. They were a fine bunch of young people who care deeply about animal welfare and I will remember their passion for this issue as I take decisions about animal welfare in the future.”
Daniel Turner, spokesperson for Born Free and The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011, who travelled with the students said: “Our investigations over the last twelve months have confirmed that hundreds perhaps thousands of zoos across the European Community are not meeting the required standards and millions of animals may be suffering unnecessarily. Students from Downlands Community School, as representatives of civil society, travelled to Brussels in support of our campaign for change. I hope that, in light of our evidence, the European Commission will take the necessary measures to end suffering and neglect in Europe’s zoos and ensure, through effective enforcement, that failing zoos will close.”
Downlands Community School teacher, Mathieu Verniol, who visited the European Parliament with the students said: “The students and the teachers were delighted to be able to participate in this once in a lifetime project. The pupils were very interested to hear what Mr Taylor had to say about the importance of animal welfare in Europe and were extemely proud to hear that a Member of the European Parliament was interested in their project. On behalf of all students from Downlands Community School, I would like to say a big thank you to Mr Taylor for spending some time with us yesterday.”
Photo caption: Keith Taylor, Green MEP for Sussex and the South East, with students from Downlands Community School, Hassocks in the European Parliament, Brussels.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The full Written Question tabled by Keith Taylor MEP can be read at: http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/EU-zoo-inquiry-WQ-12-Oct-20111.pdf
2. The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 is an extensive investigation into the licensing and performance of zoos across the EU carried out by the Born Free Foundation, in association with the European Coalition, ENDCAP, has revealed systemic failures by governments and regulatory authorities to ensure zoos meet their legal obligations to species conservation, education and animal care. The results of the EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 which, when complete, will include 21 reports can be found at www.euzooinquiry.eu
