Will the Mole animal market continue to exist? Commission will consider the dossier today (Mol)

The committee session on the animal welfare codex in the Flemish Parliament has started. Last week, a delegation from the Mole municipal council, the market committee and local catering industry went to the Flemish Parliament to present the petition for the preservation of the animal market.

The Mole animal market will celebrate its 140th anniversary next week. Although it is not yet clear whether parties can actually take place. This morning the Flemish Parliament will vote on the new Animal Welfare Code, which prohibits the sale of animals on markets.

Last week, a delegation from the Mole municipal council, the market committee and local catering industry went to the Flemish Parliament to present the petition for the preservation of the animal market. The counter then stood at 4,415 signatures, but the campaign is still ongoing. Earlier this week, Vlaams Belang submitted a petition for the preservation of the animal market, which will also be dealt with separately by the committee.

Minister Weyts starts the committee session with the conviction of his ambition to make progress in the field of animal welfare. “Today we are discussing a piece of work that is the icing on the cake for animal welfare. It is the result of a lot of dialogue and discussion to make progress, but neither the icing nor the cake is perfect,” says Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts. It is a result of much discussion and compromise to make progress, but not in optimal conditions. I accept that there are imperfections, but I am making progress”

Weyts also came up with an explanation regarding the Mole animal market. “We have followed the logic of the previous ban on the sale of dogs and cats at pet markets to curb impulse purchases. In addition, the transports cause a lot of stress. What applies to dogs and cats also applies to chickens, rabbits and other animals. If you want to purchase an animal, it is better to go to a shelter or pet shop. It is perfectly possible today that Moses goes to the mountain instead of the other way around. We show pragmatism for exhibitions and annual fairs that are allowed to continue to exist. Animal markets can also still take place eight times a year, but we have to set the bar somewhere. There are already several municipalities that have decided to no longer organize the animal market.”

Meyrem Almaci (Green), regrets that there has been little consultation with the traders. “The codex is a sour cherry on an imperfect cake,” says Meyrem Almaci (Green). “Last week, a market vendor from your party spoke to me about the lack of consultation. If you yourself say that the codex is the result of intensive consultation with various parties, that is remarkable.”

More later.