In this legislative period, important animal protection laws have not been presented, although the Commission has them in the drawer.

It deals with legislative proposals on the welfare of farm animals, i.e. the species-appropriate keeping of laying hens, broilers, pigs and calves, the protection of animals at the time of killing and the introduction of new EU regulations on animal welfare labeling.

After all, legislative proposals have been put forward for the transportation of animals and the welfare of pets.

But the real parliamentary work only begins with the newly elected European Parliament. That is why animal welfare must be made a priority in the next EU Parliament and we must have more MEPs fighting for more animal welfare.

Animal welfare is a matter close to my heart, because animals are sentient beings and feel pain, joy and fear in a similar way to us humans.

Cruelty to animals must be stopped - not only in the interests of the animals, but also in our own interests.