No. 2 on the Animalist Party's list for the Europeans, Montpellier Eddine Ariztegui wants to “create a surprise”

Eddine Ariztegui, member of “Choosing ecology in Montpellier”, is delegate for animal welfare. Midi Libre – Dorian Cayuela

Delegate for animal welfare in Montpellier, the elected official defends the program of the Animalist Party and addresses sensitive subjects in Montpellier such as waste treatment and the CSR sector.

You are in position No. 2 on the Animalist Party list in the European elections: why this commitment?

I got involved in the animal cause ten years ago by campaigning within an anti-speciesist association. I joined the animalist party when it was created. Because despite the efforts of associations to raise awareness among the French about the animal cause, there is a glass ceiling. The politicians in power are very close to animal exploitation lobbies and there was no major progress on animal rights. The Animalist Party is monothematic but it is also a humanist party. It was important to make the animalist electorate visible to show the parties in power that they are losing votes. Thanks to our results, animalists have been integrated into majorities. The 2021 law on animal protection is directly linked to the result obtained in the European elections.

You gathered 2.16% of the votes in 2019, what is your objective next June?

We plan to create a surprise. This is the first time in the history of the party that we will send professions of faith to every mailbox. This will have a considerable impact because until now we have only been able to finance a small percentage of ballots in polling stations. The profession of faith tests showed that the results were doubled. We are a little better known too. Our goal is to exceed 5%. We are calling for donations to finance the campaign. It will play out more or less. We need all animal friends.

How much ?

The total budget is 2 million euros. It will be financed by a loan, donations and public funding obtained thanks to our results in the legislative elections. We had 146 candidates in 2017 and 421 in the last ones. The party is growing.

What are your three flagship measures?

One, we demand a ban on intensive breeding and the suffering perpetrated against animals. Two, the establishment of a conscientious objection for students regarding animal experimentation, funding to the tune of 500 million euros; start-ups and universities to develop alternative methods. Three, the ban on glyphosate and reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock farming by 70%. We also want to help breeders by repurchasing their debt on the condition that they move towards plant protein. Our goal is to reduce the production and consumption of animal products by 50% by 2029.

You opened the debate on rurality with your forum on the cattle reform, what remains of it?

This forum made it possible to raise awareness of these animal sufferings. We will also oppose the request for classification as the intangible heritage of humanity of the world of cattle until the reforms have been carried out.

The question of waste treatment divides the majority: are you for or against the creation of a CSR sector in the metropolis?

I will vote in solidarity with my environmental group. We have made commitments to Montpellier residents for a zero waste policy which does not involve the creation of a CSR sector.

What about Coralie Mantion, vice-president of urban planning, who is part of your environmental group ?

She will be the one to answer you. I imagine that she will vote against, like all environmentalists.

Is the choice of the methanization plant, made in 2008 by the Greens Jean-Louis Roumégas and Nicole Stamm, a strategic error that the’ we still pay ?

The solution is to reduce waste production and improve recycling. This necessarily involves platforms to recover bio-waste. It was planned. We must succeed. Ultimately, we also need incentive pricing. Those who do not want to make the effort to sort their waste will pay if they do not.

You are elected to animal welfare: what assessment do you draw from your action?

L214 gave Montpellier second place among cities for animal welfare. This is the strongest symbol. We have obtained the termination of hunting conventions, the greening of food in canteens, our positions against circuses with animals, aid to associations like SOS Reptile hosted in the basement of the greenhouse Amazonian, Coalia… 

The operation of the SPA found itself at the heart of controversy recently with complaints of harassment.

The SPA is managed by the Metropolis, I am elected to the city. The SPA does wonderful work for animals. I thank Annie Benezech for her investment in the animal cause.

The zoo is 60 years old this year: where are the redevelopment projects??

The first study made it possible to identify the location of the wildlife hospital: it will be behind the parking lot opposite the zoo. The second made it possible to make a benchmark to define what is done in a care center. The third step is the launch of the architectural competition which has been launched, we must validate the selected service providers. We obtained a grant from the ministry of 575,000 euros. to create enclosures to collect circus lions. This corresponds to our vision of a 21st century zoo.

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