From courtroom battles to consumer bans, the global fight for animals surged forward this week—despite setbacks in U.S. legislation.
Animal rights efforts gained momentum worldwide between July 10 and 22, as nations enacted new protections, corporations responded to activist pressure, and legal challenges pushed for greater accountability in animal industries.
Notable developments include a nationwide ban on piglet castration without anesthesia in the Netherlands, a major USDA lawsuit over research facility oversight in the U.S., and Switzerland’s expansion of its animal suffering labeling law to cover processed products.
In the Netherlands, new legislation went into effect July 15 prohibiting the routine castration of piglets without full anesthesia. The move aligns with broader EU goals to eliminate painful mutilations in factory farming and was celebrated by European animal advocacy organizations.
Meanwhile, on July 11, U.S.-based advocacy groups including the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the USDA, alleging the agency failed to enforce the Animal Welfare Act across over 1,000 research facilities. The suit challenges the USDA’s reliance on self-reporting from labs and universities, demanding regular inspections for facilities using animals in experiments.
China’s largest plush toy manufacturer, DreamyBear Co., announced on July 16 that it would eliminate all fur from its products following sustained pressure from PETA Asia. The company had previously used rabbit and mink fur in high-end children’s toys, but agreed to a total phaseout in response to consumer backlash.
In France, new advertising rules took effect July 18 requiring companies to disclose carbon emissions and biodiversity loss associated with meat, dairy, and other animal-derived products. Activists say the regulation marks a first in holding animal agriculture accountable in marketing.
Elsewhere, enforcement took center stage in Brazil when the Ministry of Agriculture shut down a major beef slaughterhouse on July 12. Undercover footage revealed workers beating and improperly shocking cattle—a violation of animal handling laws. The facility had a documented history of abuse.
Switzerland expanded its groundbreaking animal welfare labeling law on July 20 to include processed foods, such as sausages and frozen meat entrees. Previously applied only to raw meat and eggs, the new requirement compels retailers to display visual ratings of animal suffering tied to farming and slaughter conditions.
Despite global momentum, U.S. federal efforts to ban the shark fin trade stalled in the Senate on July 17. The bipartisan bill, which had gained traction earlier this year, was blocked again in committee. Advocacy groups pointed to aggressive lobbying from seafood and restaurant interests.
From European food transparency to factory farm enforcement in South America, the week’s headlines underscored a shifting tide in global attitudes toward animal welfare—though the U.S. continues to lag behind on key protections.
The Humane Herald 