Belgium - Brussels Capital Regio

Name

Brussels Animal Welfare Council

Web address

Dutch (NL): https://leefmilieu.brussels/themas/dierenwelzijn/brusselse-raad-voor-dierenwelzijn-een-nieuwe-gewestelijke-instantie

French (FR): https://environnement.brussels/thematiques/bien-etre-animal/conseil-bruxellois-du-bien-etre-animal

Scope/mission statement

When the competence of animal welfare was devolved to the regions by the 6th State Reform, separate animal welfare councils were set up to advise the respective ministers of the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels Capital regions. Requests for advice in the Brussels Capital Region are initiated by the minister, the department of Animal Welfare of Brussels Environment or the Council itself. The advices are not legally binding, but provide relevant analyses, leads and guidelines for current and future Brussels animal welfare policy and (legislative) actions.

Structure

The Brussels Council is made up of 15 members, being representatives of animal protection organizations (2), animal shelters (2), breeders’ associations (2), professional veterinary associations (3), civil society (1) and association of the city and municipalities of the Brussels Capital Region (1), and 4 scientific experts who constitute the Executive Committee. The Council's administration is run by staff of the department of Animal Welfare of Brussels Environment (gouvernmental administration of the Brussels Capital Region).

Working methods

The Council has 6 bimonthly meetings and the possibility to have extra meetings in between, as necessary. These meetings are always prepared in advance during a separate meeting of the Executive Committee. The Council may also set up working groups to investigate specialist subjects in greater depth. External experts may be invited to take part in these working groups, by their chairmen. Working groups prepare a document or advice, which the Council then discusses, if necessary amends, and approves. Once approved, advices are filed with the minister, then put forward for publication.

Publications

The advices of the Brussels Animal Welfare Council can be downloaded in pdf format at the websites (NL and FR) mentioned above. An activity report is available in English (ENG) as well.

Topics covered between 2016 and 2018 include: mandatory cat identification and registration, ban on fairground ponies, unstunned slaughter, reptile species that can be kept as pets, reduction of lab animal use, ban of the breeding of “Fold” cats and hybrid cats, licensing of occasional dog and cat breeders, ban on the sale of live animals at public markets, legal framework for “foster families”, and minimum standards for the keeping of equids, cats and dogs.

Contact details

conseilbea.raaddwz@leefmilieu.brussels