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.
Today we go to the polls here in the Netherlands. I have already done my civic duty.
All I can now do is hope that the majority of my fellow citizens also vote for political parties who can form a more progressive, social & humane government.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
All I can now do is hope that the majority of my fellow citizens also vote for political parties who can form a more progressive, social & humane government.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
October 29, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Today we go to the polls here in the Netherlands. I have already done my civic duty.
All I can now do is hope that the majority of my fellow citizens also vote for political parties who can form a more progressive, social & humane government.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
All I can now do is hope that the majority of my fellow citizens also vote for political parties who can form a more progressive, social & humane government.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
355 MEPs voted today to ban the use of meat denominations like burger & sausage for plant-based products.
This is a manufactured issue. Consumers are not confused.
If there was ever clearer evidence of political decision-making being heavily influenced by the animal agriculture lobby. This is it.
This is a manufactured issue. Consumers are not confused.
If there was ever clearer evidence of political decision-making being heavily influenced by the animal agriculture lobby. This is it.
October 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
355 MEPs voted today to ban the use of meat denominations like burger & sausage for plant-based products.
This is a manufactured issue. Consumers are not confused.
If there was ever clearer evidence of political decision-making being heavily influenced by the animal agriculture lobby. This is it.
This is a manufactured issue. Consumers are not confused.
If there was ever clearer evidence of political decision-making being heavily influenced by the animal agriculture lobby. This is it.
Vanmiddag ga ik naar de Tuschinski voor de première van ‘Boerocratie’, een film die onthult hoe ‘BigAg’ steeds meer greep krijgt op de (inter)nationale politiek.
Dat zie ik helaas met eigen ogen steeds meer gebeuren in Brussel.
Er zijn nog kaartjes:
www.ngpf.nl/boerocratie-2
Dat zie ik helaas met eigen ogen steeds meer gebeuren in Brussel.
Er zijn nog kaartjes:
www.ngpf.nl/boerocratie-2
October 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Vanmiddag ga ik naar de Tuschinski voor de première van ‘Boerocratie’, een film die onthult hoe ‘BigAg’ steeds meer greep krijgt op de (inter)nationale politiek.
Dat zie ik helaas met eigen ogen steeds meer gebeuren in Brussel.
Er zijn nog kaartjes:
www.ngpf.nl/boerocratie-2
Dat zie ik helaas met eigen ogen steeds meer gebeuren in Brussel.
Er zijn nog kaartjes:
www.ngpf.nl/boerocratie-2
En route to London Heathrow airport for a work visit to the Animal Reception Centre.
En route I rescued & released this poor little chiffchaff who had inadvertently boarded the Piccadilly Line. 🪶
En route I rescued & released this poor little chiffchaff who had inadvertently boarded the Piccadilly Line. 🪶
September 23, 2025 at 7:35 AM
En route to London Heathrow airport for a work visit to the Animal Reception Centre.
En route I rescued & released this poor little chiffchaff who had inadvertently boarded the Piccadilly Line. 🪶
En route I rescued & released this poor little chiffchaff who had inadvertently boarded the Piccadilly Line. 🪶
Visiting Tor, my oldest friend.
He was found wandering on a suburban London street in 1962 & has been living with my family ever since.
Nice to see the old boy before he goes into hibernation.
He was found wandering on a suburban London street in 1962 & has been living with my family ever since.
Nice to see the old boy before he goes into hibernation.
September 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Visiting Tor, my oldest friend.
He was found wandering on a suburban London street in 1962 & has been living with my family ever since.
Nice to see the old boy before he goes into hibernation.
He was found wandering on a suburban London street in 1962 & has been living with my family ever since.
Nice to see the old boy before he goes into hibernation.
For my sins, now sitting in on the EP ‘Sustainable Livestock’ Intergroup meeting.
To me, a diet with significantly less animal protein means far less animal suffering, fewer GHG emissions & improved human health…
To me, a diet with significantly less animal protein means far less animal suffering, fewer GHG emissions & improved human health…
September 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM
For my sins, now sitting in on the EP ‘Sustainable Livestock’ Intergroup meeting.
To me, a diet with significantly less animal protein means far less animal suffering, fewer GHG emissions & improved human health…
To me, a diet with significantly less animal protein means far less animal suffering, fewer GHG emissions & improved human health…
Today at the @europarl.europa.eu canteen in Strasbourg. 🙈
How difficult is it for a major food service provider to understand the concept of vegan?!
Double-checked & was reassured that no animals were harmed in making of this falafel.
How difficult is it for a major food service provider to understand the concept of vegan?!
Double-checked & was reassured that no animals were harmed in making of this falafel.
September 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Today at the @europarl.europa.eu canteen in Strasbourg. 🙈
How difficult is it for a major food service provider to understand the concept of vegan?!
Double-checked & was reassured that no animals were harmed in making of this falafel.
How difficult is it for a major food service provider to understand the concept of vegan?!
Double-checked & was reassured that no animals were harmed in making of this falafel.
Eurasian Spoonbills! 🪶
August 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Eurasian Spoonbills! 🪶
🪶 A question for all you bird nerds: is this a female Greater Scaup, or a Tufted Duck?
I thought the former, but both Obsidentify & Merlin don’t give a conclusive answer!! #birds
I thought the former, but both Obsidentify & Merlin don’t give a conclusive answer!! #birds
August 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🪶 A question for all you bird nerds: is this a female Greater Scaup, or a Tufted Duck?
I thought the former, but both Obsidentify & Merlin don’t give a conclusive answer!! #birds
I thought the former, but both Obsidentify & Merlin don’t give a conclusive answer!! #birds
Took a day off yesterday to take a long cycle ride in the Veluwe & enjoy the last of summer sun before the political rollercoaster starts up again. Was fortunate to encounter this herd of red deer en route.
August 27, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Took a day off yesterday to take a long cycle ride in the Veluwe & enjoy the last of summer sun before the political rollercoaster starts up again. Was fortunate to encounter this herd of red deer en route.
⚠️🚳 A heads-up for anyone wanting to cycle along the Diemerzeedijk to/from Muiden.
Discovered today that this lovely coastal bike path is now closed until mid-December.😢
Route is great for birdwatching. A few weeks’ ago I even spotted a white-tailed eagle while cycling along it. 🪶
Discovered today that this lovely coastal bike path is now closed until mid-December.😢
Route is great for birdwatching. A few weeks’ ago I even spotted a white-tailed eagle while cycling along it. 🪶
August 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
⚠️🚳 A heads-up for anyone wanting to cycle along the Diemerzeedijk to/from Muiden.
Discovered today that this lovely coastal bike path is now closed until mid-December.😢
Route is great for birdwatching. A few weeks’ ago I even spotted a white-tailed eagle while cycling along it. 🪶
Discovered today that this lovely coastal bike path is now closed until mid-December.😢
Route is great for birdwatching. A few weeks’ ago I even spotted a white-tailed eagle while cycling along it. 🪶
Paid a work visit to @stichtingaap.bsky.social in Almere today.
They do such amazing work rescuing, socialising & outplacing the mammals that end up in their care, many as a result of the exotic pet trade.
Here are a few of the sanctuary’s current residents.
They do such amazing work rescuing, socialising & outplacing the mammals that end up in their care, many as a result of the exotic pet trade.
Here are a few of the sanctuary’s current residents.
August 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Paid a work visit to @stichtingaap.bsky.social in Almere today.
They do such amazing work rescuing, socialising & outplacing the mammals that end up in their care, many as a result of the exotic pet trade.
Here are a few of the sanctuary’s current residents.
They do such amazing work rescuing, socialising & outplacing the mammals that end up in their care, many as a result of the exotic pet trade.
Here are a few of the sanctuary’s current residents.
Spotted this fellow swimming in a small lake close to Neustrelitz.
First thought he was a beaver, but then realised that he’s a coypu.
A South American rodent (also known as nutria) introduced to Europe by the evil fur industry & now classified as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern.
First thought he was a beaver, but then realised that he’s a coypu.
A South American rodent (also known as nutria) introduced to Europe by the evil fur industry & now classified as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern.
July 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Spotted this fellow swimming in a small lake close to Neustrelitz.
First thought he was a beaver, but then realised that he’s a coypu.
A South American rodent (also known as nutria) introduced to Europe by the evil fur industry & now classified as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern.
First thought he was a beaver, but then realised that he’s a coypu.
A South American rodent (also known as nutria) introduced to Europe by the evil fur industry & now classified as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern.
Off to Germany. Given my past atrocious experiences with @deutschebahn.com, I suppose I should be thankful that my first train to Hannover departed on time (or at all) from Amsterdam.
Astounded though by this poor excuse for a 1st class carriage. How bad must the 2nd class seats be?
Astounded though by this poor excuse for a 1st class carriage. How bad must the 2nd class seats be?
July 24, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Off to Germany. Given my past atrocious experiences with @deutschebahn.com, I suppose I should be thankful that my first train to Hannover departed on time (or at all) from Amsterdam.
Astounded though by this poor excuse for a 1st class carriage. How bad must the 2nd class seats be?
Astounded though by this poor excuse for a 1st class carriage. How bad must the 2nd class seats be?
We have large population of ring-necked parakeets here. These little green monsters have a very different screech to the one I heard this am.
The Alexandrine parakeet is apparently on the increase here, but rarely see them.
The Alexandrine parakeet is apparently on the increase here, but rarely see them.
July 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
We have large population of ring-necked parakeets here. These little green monsters have a very different screech to the one I heard this am.
The Alexandrine parakeet is apparently on the increase here, but rarely see them.
The Alexandrine parakeet is apparently on the increase here, but rarely see them.
Couldn’t place the not-so-dulcet tones of a bird I heard in the local park this am. Looks like it was an Alexandrine parrot.
Another ‘invasive alien species’, like these Egyptian geese, who’ve also made themselves at home in the Netherlands. 🪶
Another ‘invasive alien species’, like these Egyptian geese, who’ve also made themselves at home in the Netherlands. 🪶
July 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Couldn’t place the not-so-dulcet tones of a bird I heard in the local park this am. Looks like it was an Alexandrine parrot.
Another ‘invasive alien species’, like these Egyptian geese, who’ve also made themselves at home in the Netherlands. 🪶
Another ‘invasive alien species’, like these Egyptian geese, who’ve also made themselves at home in the Netherlands. 🪶
Not the greatest photos, but for first time ever I spotted a white-tailed eagle just outside Amsterdam!!
I’d heard that there was a breeding pair around the Diemerpark, but hadn’t yet seen any while out cycling there. This was pretty close-by.
In Dutch, these #birds are known as ‘flying doors’.
I’d heard that there was a breeding pair around the Diemerpark, but hadn’t yet seen any while out cycling there. This was pretty close-by.
In Dutch, these #birds are known as ‘flying doors’.
July 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Not the greatest photos, but for first time ever I spotted a white-tailed eagle just outside Amsterdam!!
I’d heard that there was a breeding pair around the Diemerpark, but hadn’t yet seen any while out cycling there. This was pretty close-by.
In Dutch, these #birds are known as ‘flying doors’.
I’d heard that there was a breeding pair around the Diemerpark, but hadn’t yet seen any while out cycling there. This was pretty close-by.
In Dutch, these #birds are known as ‘flying doors’.
Spending all day at 17th meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare.
Already seized opportunity to quiz @ec.europa.eu on issue of fur farming.
You can follow live via: webcast.ec.europa.eu/17th-meeting...
Already seized opportunity to quiz @ec.europa.eu on issue of fur farming.
You can follow live via: webcast.ec.europa.eu/17th-meeting...
June 30, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Spending all day at 17th meeting of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare.
Already seized opportunity to quiz @ec.europa.eu on issue of fur farming.
You can follow live via: webcast.ec.europa.eu/17th-meeting...
Already seized opportunity to quiz @ec.europa.eu on issue of fur farming.
You can follow live via: webcast.ec.europa.eu/17th-meeting...
That was a frustratingly depressing & predictable debate with each intervention sounding like it had been drafted by the meat lobby. 😩
I’m going to go cook & eat some tofu now. Shame I didn’t instead buy a vegan sausage, schnitzel or something ‘meaty’ to eat tonight just out of spite…
I’m going to go cook & eat some tofu now. Shame I didn’t instead buy a vegan sausage, schnitzel or something ‘meaty’ to eat tonight just out of spite…
June 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
That was a frustratingly depressing & predictable debate with each intervention sounding like it had been drafted by the meat lobby. 😩
I’m going to go cook & eat some tofu now. Shame I didn’t instead buy a vegan sausage, schnitzel or something ‘meaty’ to eat tonight just out of spite…
I’m going to go cook & eat some tofu now. Shame I didn’t instead buy a vegan sausage, schnitzel or something ‘meaty’ to eat tonight just out of spite…
Typical Dutch problems.
June 16, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Typical Dutch problems.
Jam-packed room for our joint NGO event on an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods at @europarl.europa.eu. Great discussion today.
Kindly hosted by MEPs Michal Wiezik, @spietikainen.bsky.social @cristinaguarda.bsky.social @marianoichl.bsky.social @perclausen.bsky.social
Kindly hosted by MEPs Michal Wiezik, @spietikainen.bsky.social @cristinaguarda.bsky.social @marianoichl.bsky.social @perclausen.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Jam-packed room for our joint NGO event on an EU Action Plan for Plant-based Foods at @europarl.europa.eu. Great discussion today.
Kindly hosted by MEPs Michal Wiezik, @spietikainen.bsky.social @cristinaguarda.bsky.social @marianoichl.bsky.social @perclausen.bsky.social
Kindly hosted by MEPs Michal Wiezik, @spietikainen.bsky.social @cristinaguarda.bsky.social @marianoichl.bsky.social @perclausen.bsky.social
Following interesting discussion at @europarl.europa.eu on the need for an EU-wide positive list for wild animals.
Organised by @aap-europe.bsky.social; hosted by MEPs @nielsfuglsang.bsky.social & @manuelaripa.bsky.social
Organised by @aap-europe.bsky.social; hosted by MEPs @nielsfuglsang.bsky.social & @manuelaripa.bsky.social
June 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Following interesting discussion at @europarl.europa.eu on the need for an EU-wide positive list for wild animals.
Organised by @aap-europe.bsky.social; hosted by MEPs @nielsfuglsang.bsky.social & @manuelaripa.bsky.social
Organised by @aap-europe.bsky.social; hosted by MEPs @nielsfuglsang.bsky.social & @manuelaripa.bsky.social
🤬 Defective train?
Seriously? The Eurocity Direct trains are almost brand new!
Seriously? The Eurocity Direct trains are almost brand new!
June 2, 2025 at 6:31 AM
🤬 Defective train?
Seriously? The Eurocity Direct trains are almost brand new!
Seriously? The Eurocity Direct trains are almost brand new!
Encountered many species of bird while cycling today from Amsterdam to Hoorn. Some were more willing to pose for my camera than others… 🪶
May 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Encountered many species of bird while cycling today from Amsterdam to Hoorn. Some were more willing to pose for my camera than others… 🪶