Legislating against cruelty to animals

Bullfights, cockfights and dogfights could become a thing of the past in Europe if anti-animal-cruelty advocates in the parliament get their way. Euro-deputies will be debating a text on the protection and well-being of animals this Wednesday.

The proposal for 2006-2010 was approved unanimously in the assembly's agriculture committee in September. Among the 74 points it covers: importing meat from animals butchered in ways considered cruel would be banned. Alternatives to experiments on animals are promoted. And animal well-being considerations would be introduced into world trade negotiations.