Reineke Hameleers, Director, Eurogroup for Animals and me with the EU Parliament in the background.

Earlier this month I had the honour to be the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of Eurogroup for Animals when it met in Brussels. Its mission is to “build a Europe that cares for animals” and is a “confederation of 46 like minded organisations that can mobilise millions of citizens to defend the welfare of animals and act to ensure European, national and local decision makers take note and respond to our concerns.”

Eurogroup is an example of a mutually-supportive coalition of diverse pro-animal organisations that I have always advocated for. Check out their priorities here and follow them on Twitter as @Act4AnimalsEU.

Eurogroup is led by a board of directors representing a cross-section of its organisational membership and their director, Reineke Hameleers.

I’m truly grateful to Reineke for encouraging her colleagues to agree for me to be the keynote speaker. She had read my book Growl on holiday last year and found it to be engaging and inspiring. In the introduction to my presentation, she encouraged everyone to read Growl. The keynote presentation was an opportunity to explore some of what I have to say in Growl, including the four key values in animal rights and the five stages of social movements. I concluded with a series of recommendations which provoked a positive discussion about the various ways forward for animals.

As someone who is an enthusiastic supporter of a united Europe with the UK’s active participation, I welcome Eurogroup for Animals as an important force for the moral and legal status of animals in society.