The conference focused on how animal welfare law can be strengthened and enforced at the transnational level. The main focus was on the idea of a European agreement, modelled on the Aarhus Convention, the first international treaty to grant citizens participation rights in environmental protection. The aim was to discuss various instruments for stronger representation of animal interests in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings. Possible approaches include party rights for animal welfare NGOs, better access to animal welfare-related information, stronger cooperation between authorities and clearer legal foundations.

At the start of the conference, TIR Director Dr Gieri Bolliger took part in an expert panel discussion on legal and structural obstacles to representing animal interests in Europe. He presented the Swiss perspective and explained key elements of Swiss animal welfare law, as well as sharing practical experiences from its implementation.

The following day, TIR lawyers Sibel Konyo and Laura Baumann took part in an expert workshop. There, concrete approaches to strengthening legal animal welfare in Europe were discussed. Here, too, TIR was able to contribute important insights from its practical work and exchange ideas with experts from other countries.

The conference was a complete success from the perspective of the initiators and participants. It enabled a professional exchange across national borders and provided important impetus for animal welfare at both national and European level. TIR would like to thank the organisers from the AJA research group and the Max Planck Institute for the invitation and the excellent organisation of the event.

The complete programme for the conference ‘Access to Justice for Animals in Europe: Towards an “Aarhus Convention” for Animals?’: Access to Justice for Animals in Europe