Animal rights group GAIA called on Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont (MR) to "birth" an animal welfare policy in a symbolic action in Namur on Thursday.
The animal welfare group denounced Dolimont's lack of progress nine months after his appointment with a "baby shower" with the following slogan: "Nine months and still nothing? Get on with it, Adrien!"
"So far, the minister has simply announced a desire to ban home slaughter, while acknowledging that this will not be implemented for at least another year. However, the festival of sacrifice is approaching without any protocol or preventive measures. This raises fears of a new wave of illegal slaughter and animal suffering," explained GAIA's Director of operations, Sébastien de Jonge.

Credit: Belga/Gregory Pierard
The animal welfare group also deplored the fact that Wallonia has still not adopted a new decree on the sale of pets. The previous decree was overturned at the end of 2024 by the Council of State following complaints from animal traders. The association also regrets that Dolimont passes the issue to a European level every time the issue is raised in parliament.
"A Minister for Animal Welfare who takes no initiative, offers no solutions and sets no course is a minister who is not doing his job. He shows no vision on issues that are nevertheless essential," said de Jonge.

Animal rights activists at the protest. Credit: Belga/Gregory Pierard
At the end of the protest, all Walloon ministers, MPs and party leaders received a box of sugared almonds, a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Accouche, Adrien!" (Get on with it, Adrien!), stickers depicting the minister pregnant, and fake ultrasound scans to encourage him to take action on behalf of animals.
The non-profit organisation is calling for the implementation of a "serious Walloon policy on animal welfare."