The Animal Debate 2025

• Date: 17 October
• Time: 15:00 - 17:00
• Location: Nieuwspoort, online livestream

Please note this event will be online and in Dutch.

With the parliamentary elections approaching, countless political topics are being discussed — the economy, housing, immigration, foreign policy… Yet one crucial issue often remains overlooked: the welfare of animals. And that’s remarkable, given that there are more animals than people living in the Netherlands.

That’s why the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals, together with the Animal Coalition, is organising the Animal Welfare Debate 2025. At Nieuwspoort, just as in 2023, we’re challenging (candidate) MPs to take concrete steps toward stronger animal protection in the Netherlands. From the future of livestock farming to including animals in the Constitution — no topic will be left untouched!

Time and place
📅 Date: Friday 17 October 2025
🕒 Time: 15:00 – 17:00
🎥 Watch live!

Themes

• Should animals be given a place in the Constitution?

• How will politics ensure a ban on keeping and trading pets with harmful hereditary traits?

• Is recreational hunting still acceptable, or should it be abolished?

• Will new legislation truly lead to animal-friendly livestock farming by 2040?

• Should there be specific laws to better protect underwater animals?

The debate will be moderated by Liesbeth Staats, presenter at BNR Nieuwsradio.

Organisations
The Animal Welfare Debate is organised by the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals in collaboration with the Animal Coalition.

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