This page is a timeline of the major events in the history of animal welfare and rights in Europe.
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Period Description600 BCE – 200In ancient Greece and Rome, a number of philosophers advocate for vegetarianism and kindness towards animals, while the use of vivisection – operations on live animals – as a scientific tool spreads.1600–1800Philosophers take up the question of animals and their treatment, with some arguing that they are sentient beings who deserve protection. The first known modern animal protection law is passed in Ireland.1800–1870The first national animal welfare law is enacted in the United Kingdom, followed by laws in Germany, Switzerland, France, and Sweden. These laws are largely concerned with public mistreatment of animals as a violation of decency, rather than the suffering of the animals themselves. The first animal protection society is founded in the UK, followed by organizations in Germany and Switzerland. 1870–1914The anti-vivisection movement takes hold in the UK, where the first legislation to regulate animal experimentation is passed. European anti-vivisectionists and moderate animal protectionists clash, with little significant legislation on animal experimentation appearing outside England, and interest in anti-vivisection waning by World War I. Animal protection societies in Scandinavia and Germany push for humane slaughter regulations. European animal protection societies begin to shift from opposing animal cruelty as a harm to property and public morals, to opposing animal cruelty as a harm to the animal itself.1914–1970The number of European countries with national animal welfare laws grows. The number of animals raised and killed for food increases dramatically with the advent of intensive animal agriculture The number of animal used in research also increases significantly with the growth of scientific and medical research.1970–2016Meat consumption continues to rise. Countries continue to enact legislation regulating the use and treatment of animals in agriculture and science, with several recognizing animals as sentient beings deserving of basic protections. A number of international agreements are adopted, culminating in measures by the European Union (EU) to recognize animals as sentient beings whose basic needs should be provided for; ban battery cages, veal crates, and gestation crates; and to regulate and monitor animal agriculture and experimentation in various other ways.
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