Dr Jo Swabe
@joswabe.bsky.social
Senior Director of Public Affairs for Humane World for Animals Europe (formerly Humane Society International). Advocate for animals. EU policy wonk. Erstwhile sociologist. Bird nerd & nature lover. Vegan foodie. Posting in EN & NL. Usual disclaimers apply.
Pinned
Dr Jo Swabe
@joswabe.bsky.social
· Nov 21
👋 Time for another quick introduction.
I’m HSI/Europe’s senior director of public affairs & will be primarily engaging here on animal agriculture, food policy, fur, wildlife protection, biodiversity & EU policy/political stuff. And posting the occasional bird pic!
I’m HSI/Europe’s senior director of public affairs & will be primarily engaging here on animal agriculture, food policy, fur, wildlife protection, biodiversity & EU policy/political stuff. And posting the occasional bird pic!
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.
January 1, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.
In March 2005, when I was working for @bontvoordieren.bsky.social, I travelled to Canada to document the commercial seal slaughter off the coast of PEI.
Just came across the receipt for my observation permit. I was charged $25 to observe the hunt; sealers paid $5 to kill defenceless seals.
Just came across the receipt for my observation permit. I was charged $25 to observe the hunt; sealers paid $5 to kill defenceless seals.
December 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
In March 2005, when I was working for @bontvoordieren.bsky.social, I travelled to Canada to document the commercial seal slaughter off the coast of PEI.
Just came across the receipt for my observation permit. I was charged $25 to observe the hunt; sealers paid $5 to kill defenceless seals.
Just came across the receipt for my observation permit. I was charged $25 to observe the hunt; sealers paid $5 to kill defenceless seals.
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
Thick as mince and thick as thieves. A column about the absolute idiots European legislators have made of themselves over the naming of food, at the behest of meat lobbyists.
You laugh and then you weep.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
You laugh and then you weep.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
When is a sausage not really a sausage? Ask the meat lobby | George Monbiot
European legislators may ban plant-based products from using the name to prevent ‘confusion’. Just don’t mention beef tomatoes or buffalo wings, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Thick as mince and thick as thieves. A column about the absolute idiots European legislators have made of themselves over the naming of food, at the behest of meat lobbyists.
You laugh and then you weep.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
You laugh and then you weep.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Found this old newspaper from 2007 while doing a big clear out. I’m featured as a cover girl holding a swan.
It dates from my time on the @dierenambulance-amsterdam.nl rescuing all kinds of animals.
Worked there as a volunteer from 1998 to 2009 until my travel schedule & workload got too heavy…
It dates from my time on the @dierenambulance-amsterdam.nl rescuing all kinds of animals.
Worked there as a volunteer from 1998 to 2009 until my travel schedule & workload got too heavy…
December 20, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Found this old newspaper from 2007 while doing a big clear out. I’m featured as a cover girl holding a swan.
It dates from my time on the @dierenambulance-amsterdam.nl rescuing all kinds of animals.
Worked there as a volunteer from 1998 to 2009 until my travel schedule & workload got too heavy…
It dates from my time on the @dierenambulance-amsterdam.nl rescuing all kinds of animals.
Worked there as a volunteer from 1998 to 2009 until my travel schedule & workload got too heavy…
Often heard, but never actually seen until today: the Great Bittern.
It was reported on the local news last week that a bittern was bizarrely hanging out in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark.
Completely stoked to discover s/he was still there! 🪶 #birds
It was reported on the local news last week that a bittern was bizarrely hanging out in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark.
Completely stoked to discover s/he was still there! 🪶 #birds
December 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Often heard, but never actually seen until today: the Great Bittern.
It was reported on the local news last week that a bittern was bizarrely hanging out in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark.
Completely stoked to discover s/he was still there! 🪶 #birds
It was reported on the local news last week that a bittern was bizarrely hanging out in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark.
Completely stoked to discover s/he was still there! 🪶 #birds
Also reports today in the Dutch news of seizures of wildlife products & whole taxidermied animals in the Netherlands as part of Operation Thunder. nos.nl/l/2594110
December 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Also reports today in the Dutch news of seizures of wildlife products & whole taxidermied animals in the Netherlands as part of Operation Thunder. nos.nl/l/2594110
Tiger teeth, dried seahorses & shark fins being sold illegally on Facebook. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tiger teeth, dried seahorses and shark fins are being sold illegally on Facebook, BBC finds
Endangered species are being sold online with UK-based firms illegally supplying seahorses, a BBC investigation finds.
www.bbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Tiger teeth, dried seahorses & shark fins being sold illegally on Facebook. www.bbc.com/news/article...
It's the time of the month for @ec.europa.eu's infringement package.
Amongst other violations of EU law, the Commission calls on Italy to monitor and prevent bycatch of cetaceans, sea turtles and seabirds in fishing activities.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Amongst other violations of EU law, the Commission calls on Italy to monitor and prevent bycatch of cetaceans, sea turtles and seabirds in fishing activities.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December infringements package: key decisions
Overview by policy area\nIn its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. The...
ec.europa.eu
December 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's the time of the month for @ec.europa.eu's infringement package.
Amongst other violations of EU law, the Commission calls on Italy to monitor and prevent bycatch of cetaceans, sea turtles and seabirds in fishing activities.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Amongst other violations of EU law, the Commission calls on Italy to monitor and prevent bycatch of cetaceans, sea turtles and seabirds in fishing activities.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
If it says 'vegetarian sausage' on the package, it probably is one, writes @jasmijndeboo.bsky.social. No-one is confused.
Apparently no agreement between the EP & Council has yet been reached at trilogue, so this absurd discussion will drag on into January.
euobserver.com//ared80f475?...
Apparently no agreement between the EP & Council has yet been reached at trilogue, so this absurd discussion will drag on into January.
euobserver.com//ared80f475?...
EUobserver
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
euobserver.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
If it says 'vegetarian sausage' on the package, it probably is one, writes @jasmijndeboo.bsky.social. No-one is confused.
Apparently no agreement between the EP & Council has yet been reached at trilogue, so this absurd discussion will drag on into January.
euobserver.com//ared80f475?...
Apparently no agreement between the EP & Council has yet been reached at trilogue, so this absurd discussion will drag on into January.
euobserver.com//ared80f475?...
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
@humaneworldeurope.bsky.social on #lethaldose testing. With the upcoming revision of REACH and the EC Roadmap, this moment represents a pivotal opportunity for humane, and science-driven reform. Thank you to @euractiv.com for helping bring visibility.
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
Once more unto the REACH - Europe’s winding road away from animal testing | Euractiv
Europe’s approach to animal testing must be designed with enough flexibility to ensure scientific progress can be adopted swiftly, say animal welfare experts
www.euractiv.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
@humaneworldeurope.bsky.social on #lethaldose testing. With the upcoming revision of REACH and the EC Roadmap, this moment represents a pivotal opportunity for humane, and science-driven reform. Thank you to @euractiv.com for helping bring visibility.
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
Once more unto the REACH - Europe’s winding road away from animal testing
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
www.euractiv.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Once more unto the REACH - Europe’s winding road away from animal testing
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
www.euractiv.com/news/once-mo...
Paul McCartney joins uproar over EU ‘veggie burger’ ban www.politico.eu/article/paul...
Paul McCartney joins uproar over EU ‘veggie burger’ ban
The proposed EU law would prohibit food producers from using labels such as “veggie burger” or “vegan sausage” for plant-based and lab-grown dishes.
www.politico.eu
December 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Paul McCartney joins uproar over EU ‘veggie burger’ ban www.politico.eu/article/paul...
Can’t believe that it was 28 years ago today that I publicly defended my Ph.D. thesis ‘The Burden of Beasts’ at the University of Amsterdam.
It was later published under a duller title. Still relevant, albeit a bit outdated, & still available as an e-book.
www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/1...
It was later published under a duller title. Still relevant, albeit a bit outdated, & still available as an e-book.
www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/1...
Animals, Disease and Human Society | Human-animal Relations and the Ri
This book explores the history and nature of our dependency on other animals and the implications of this for human and animal health. Writing from an
www.taylorfrancis.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Can’t believe that it was 28 years ago today that I publicly defended my Ph.D. thesis ‘The Burden of Beasts’ at the University of Amsterdam.
It was later published under a duller title. Still relevant, albeit a bit outdated, & still available as an e-book.
www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/1...
It was later published under a duller title. Still relevant, albeit a bit outdated, & still available as an e-book.
www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/1...
Excellent advice, which will certainly go down like a lead balloon with the protectionist animal agriculture industry.
Eat more pulses and less red meat, Dutch health council says www.dutchnews.nl?p=260761
Eat more pulses and less red meat, Dutch health council says
www.dutchnews.nl
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Excellent advice, which will certainly go down like a lead balloon with the protectionist animal agriculture industry.
Poland and New York Fashion Week ban fur, capping off a year of wins for animals against the fur trade www.humaneworld.org/en/blog/pola...
Poland and New York Fashion Week ban fur, capping off a year of wins for animals against the fur trade
As we were compiling the 2025 wins against the fur industry, two major announcements came out just this week. Poland banned fur farming, and New York Fashion Week went fur-free. These two announcement...
www.humaneworld.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Poland and New York Fashion Week ban fur, capping off a year of wins for animals against the fur trade www.humaneworld.org/en/blog/pola...
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
🐤At this week’s @eu2025dk.bsky.social farm #AnimalWelfare event, Minister Jensen urged phasing out fast-growing broilers EU-wide.
💰Commissioner Várhelyi said a legislation update is due in late 2026 – but his focus was on the competitiveness of EU farming.
🎞️Watch it here → tinyurl.com/5asra2t4
💰Commissioner Várhelyi said a legislation update is due in late 2026 – but his focus was on the competitiveness of EU farming.
🎞️Watch it here → tinyurl.com/5asra2t4
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
🐤At this week’s @eu2025dk.bsky.social farm #AnimalWelfare event, Minister Jensen urged phasing out fast-growing broilers EU-wide.
💰Commissioner Várhelyi said a legislation update is due in late 2026 – but his focus was on the competitiveness of EU farming.
🎞️Watch it here → tinyurl.com/5asra2t4
💰Commissioner Várhelyi said a legislation update is due in late 2026 – but his focus was on the competitiveness of EU farming.
🎞️Watch it here → tinyurl.com/5asra2t4
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
🇵🇱 Poland, the world’s second-largest fur-farming producer becomes the 18th European Union country to end the cruel practice! The decision will save millions of animals from cruelty and suffering!
Read more: www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
Read more: www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
🇵🇱 Poland, the world’s second-largest fur-farming producer becomes the 18th European Union country to end the cruel practice! The decision will save millions of animals from cruelty and suffering!
Read more: www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
Read more: www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
Poland, the world’s second largest fur farming nation, becomes 18th EU Member State to end the cruel practice www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
Poland’s president signs fur farming ban into law
World’s second largest fur farming nation becomes 18th European Union country to end the cruel practice
www.humaneworld.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Poland, the world’s second largest fur farming nation, becomes 18th EU Member State to end the cruel practice www.humaneworld.org/en/news/pola...
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
Current #EU legislation does not guarantee that animals kept on farms can express natural behaviours. The consultation on farm animal walfare is our chance to demand modern, science-based standards that respect animals’ needs.
Let’s push for meaningful change 👉🏻 www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Let’s push for meaningful change 👉🏻 www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
December 2, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Current #EU legislation does not guarantee that animals kept on farms can express natural behaviours. The consultation on farm animal walfare is our chance to demand modern, science-based standards that respect animals’ needs.
Let’s push for meaningful change 👉🏻 www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Let’s push for meaningful change 👉🏻 www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
Confining octopuses to underwater factory farms would have disastrous consequences for marine ecosystems, animal welfare, & food security.
Our event “Time for the EU to Stop Octopus Farming” with @eurogroupforanimals.org will explore how to ban octopus farming.
Tune in today at 15:00 👇🔗
Our event “Time for the EU to Stop Octopus Farming” with @eurogroupforanimals.org will explore how to ban octopus farming.
Tune in today at 15:00 👇🔗
December 2, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Confining octopuses to underwater factory farms would have disastrous consequences for marine ecosystems, animal welfare, & food security.
Our event “Time for the EU to Stop Octopus Farming” with @eurogroupforanimals.org will explore how to ban octopus farming.
Tune in today at 15:00 👇🔗
Our event “Time for the EU to Stop Octopus Farming” with @eurogroupforanimals.org will explore how to ban octopus farming.
Tune in today at 15:00 👇🔗
Now at @ciwf.eu event at @europarl.europa.eu on hideous & important issue of octopus farming, which is being hosted by @emma-fourreau.bsky.social & @anjahazekamp.bsky.social.
December 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Now at @ciwf.eu event at @europarl.europa.eu on hideous & important issue of octopus farming, which is being hosted by @emma-fourreau.bsky.social & @anjahazekamp.bsky.social.
It is indeed a historic moment.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has today signed off on legislation that will end the suffering of millions of animals on fur farms.
This is huge because Poland is currently biggest fur producer in Europe!
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has today signed off on legislation that will end the suffering of millions of animals on fur farms.
This is huge because Poland is currently biggest fur producer in Europe!
To historyczny moment, na który czekaliśmy od wielu lat. Prezydent Karol Nawrocki podpisał dziś ustawę, która kończy cierpienie milionów norek, lisów, jenotów i szynszyli na fermach futrzarskich! Panie Prezydencie D Z I Ę K U J E M Y !
December 2, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It is indeed a historic moment.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has today signed off on legislation that will end the suffering of millions of animals on fur farms.
This is huge because Poland is currently biggest fur producer in Europe!
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has today signed off on legislation that will end the suffering of millions of animals on fur farms.
This is huge because Poland is currently biggest fur producer in Europe!
OMG. Just got the news that the Polish President has signed off on the legislation to ban fur farming!!
More later....
More later....
December 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
OMG. Just got the news that the Polish President has signed off on the legislation to ban fur farming!!
More later....
More later....
An insightful article from @clawsandlaws.bsky.social et al.
Europeans support large carnivore recovery while opposing both further population growth and hunting.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Europeans support large carnivore recovery while opposing both further population growth and hunting.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Europeans support large carnivore recovery while opposing both further population growth and hunting - Nature Ecology & Evolution
A survey of 10,000 members of the public across European Union countries in which there are large carnivores finds strong support for carnivore recovery but simultaneous, and somewhat paradoxical, opp...
www.nature.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM
An insightful article from @clawsandlaws.bsky.social et al.
Europeans support large carnivore recovery while opposing both further population growth and hunting.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Europeans support large carnivore recovery while opposing both further population growth and hunting.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr Jo Swabe
The EU must “raise the bar” for existing & future animal welfare rules, said MEP @emmawiesner.bsky.social, whilst calling for a response to the 1.4m citizens demanding to #EndtheCageAge & reward for the farmers already paving the way for a cage-free future. Falling short of that would be a failure.
December 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The EU must “raise the bar” for existing & future animal welfare rules, said MEP @emmawiesner.bsky.social, whilst calling for a response to the 1.4m citizens demanding to #EndtheCageAge & reward for the farmers already paving the way for a cage-free future. Falling short of that would be a failure.