Animal breeders challenge the Walloon Animal Welfare Reform. They feel that this reform is complicated for them to apply and does nothing in terms of animal welfare. They are mainly worried about having to put an end to their activity.
Julie Alcantora, a resident of Flémalle, will leave her dogs to demonstrate in front of the office of the Walloon Minister of Animal Welfare Céline Tellier. Like her, several professionals are protesting against new measures that could impact the sector.
“At the moment, we have boxes that correspond to two dogs. For two dogs, we will have to go to 9 m², which corresponds to three boxes at the moment. I do not have the means to invest, and I don’t want to turn my whole house into a kennel”, says Julie Alcantora, a member of the Federation of Belgian Breeders.
From now on, breeders of cats and dogs will not be able to breed more than two different breeds. A measure deemed absurd for Julie. “In the future, I will be asked to do only two breeds. I am currently monobreeding, but it is three varieties. As you can see, these are from the same parents, and we already get two colors. A+B proof that it’s not my doing, and it’s impossible to control. It’s mother nature who decides”, she points out.
Animal welfare, Julie makes it a priority. However, she does not feel considered with these new standards. “When we say breeder, we think of someone who raises dogs in a box, in a black, dirty shed. The majority of breeders are occasional breeders, amateur breeders who do this at home, with dogs in the living room. It’s really a shame that we think that a breeder does not pay attention to his animals”she regrets.
The event, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, brings together 13 federations of professionals in the sector, who intend to be heard.