Many animal rights activists hope the recent amendments enshrining animal protection in the Mexican Constitution will help propel the country toward the goal of a 100-percent cage-free egg supply chain.
Changes to Article 4 now require the Mexican state to ensure the protection, proper treatment, conservation and care of animals. Additionally, modifications to Article 73 grant Congress new authority to legislate on animal welfare. This sets the stage for comprehensive legislation aimed at preventing the mistreatment of all animals, including farmed animals, wildlife, laboratory animals and pets. The legislation also mandates the incorporation of animal welfare education into the national curriculum.
Anton Aguilar, executive director of Humane Society International/Mexico, said the legislation marks a significant ethical shift for the nation. “Recognizing our shared responsibility to care for animals and protect them from harm means they are now part of our moral considerations.”
The Humane Society, Igualdad Animal and other organizations have worked tirelessly in recent years to expose abuses against farmed animals in Mexico, with battery hens as one of their primary targets.
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