Gone are the days when the Flemish government could blame the national government for its instability, as Flemish political leaders are increasingly characterised by division and disloyalty. The situation in Flanders has turned sour, especially between the coalition partners N-VA and CD&V. This is a very different picture from that at the beginning of the
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When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Belgium, the country had been trying to form a government for months. It finally emerged in October 2020, with seven political parties signing a sketchy coalition agreement. This agreement contained statements that were open to debate – as has transpired in the years since. The government came to power 494
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Societal attitudes towards equestrian sport are changing as people become more aware of the industry’s impact on horse welfare. That’s why the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of equestrian sport, is planning positive action to ensure the future of the sport. The FEI, headed by Belgian Ingmar De Vos, organises international competitions worldwide,
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In the most successful European Citizens’ Initiative on animal welfare, more than 1.5 million citizens called on the European Commission to make the EU fur-free. Although fur is becoming increasingly unpopular, some EU member states still allow animals to be bred for this purpose, affecting their welfare and potentially human health. Europe is one of
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The use of cages, mutilation and feed restrictions should be avoided for the welfare of broilers and laying hens, according to new scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The findings come ahead of a review of EU animal welfare legislation. The conclusions of the EU’s scientific body are clear: “Birds should be
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For many years, the castration of piglets has been the subject of debate at the European and national levels. In Belgium, a new royal decree allows pig farmers to use anaesthesia before the procedure. Flemish Animal Welfare minister Ben Weyts considers this to be the wrong approach. He says that if the EU does not
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This autumn, the European Union is reviewing its animal welfare legislation, which has become part of the Farm to Fork Strategy since the introduction of the European Green Deal. The EU has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, legislation that mainly concerns farm animals. For decades, the European Union has been
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Over the past decade, Flanders has been increasingly confronted with drug waste. This is mainly leftovers from the production of MDMA, speed and, more recently, crystal meth. What impact can this chemical waste have on our living environment? And who has to pay for the clean-up? The production of synthetic drugs leaves its mark on
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Drugs plague Flanders. This is not only evident from the record catches of South American cocaine in the port of Antwerp and the drug-related violence in and around the metropolis. Especially along the land border with the Netherlands, the region is increasingly confronted with drug laboratories and waste. ‘Hundreds of litres of drug waste dumped
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Flanders will put cycling in the spotlight during the Belgian presidency of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2024. “The European presidency offers an ideal opportunity to interpret our cycling ambitions internationally and to convince colleagues to work towards a strong cycling policy,” says Flemish Mobility minister Lydia Peeters (Open VLD). “The
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