On May 29, Sweden requested that the European Union create a single animal welfare authority that would be able to set animal policies for the entire EU.
Swedish Agricultural Minister Margareta Winberg told an EU conference that, “Animals are sentient beings with an intrinsic worth,” and that what she called short-term economic objectives shouldn’t be pursued at the cost of mistreating animals.
“A Swedish answer to these important questions is that we need an animal ombudsman or an animal welfare authority” to protect animals’ rights as well as promote awareness of animal issues.
Source:
Sweden puts animal rights on the political map. Agence-France Presse, May 29, 2001.