Victory: Mexico’s Constitution includes animals!
Animals in Mexico endure terrible conditions on farms and in slaughterhouses, suffering daily from neglect and cruelty often overlooked by authorities. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Animal Equality’s team in Mexico, alongside other dedicated advocates, Mexico’s Constitution now includes animals. Backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, this reform will revolutionise animal protection across the country.
For the first time, our Constitution mentions animals and establishes the duty to protect them. Society and the State will have to act accordingly and new generations will grow up in a country that recognises that animals matter. It is a paradigm shift.
Dulce Ramirez, Director of Animal Equality Mexico and Animal Equality’s Vice-President of Latin America
What is a constitution?
A constitution is a set of fundamental rules and principles that organise a country, typically found in a single written document. It defines the structure of government, outlines citizens’ rights, and sets the framework for how the country operates. It is the highest ranking rule and every public action – legislative, judicial, administrative – must be compliant with it.
In contrast, the UK doesn’t have a single written constitution. Instead, our country’s laws are shaped by legislation passed by Parliament, court decisions, and long-established practices.
This is why, in countries like Mexico, where the constitution is written, changes are a big deal. Even a single amendment can have far-reaching effects across the nation. For animal protection, the constitutional reform will be a game-changer, creating lasting impacts for animals nationwide.
Mexico’s constitutional reforms: a new era for animal protection
Before 3rd December, animal protection was not included in Mexico’s Constitution, not even animals were mentioned in it. Instead, animal protection laws were determined at the local and state levels, creating a patchwork of regulations that often failed to provide consistent or effective protection. This has allowed animal cruelty to continue unchecked in many regions. Now, although the laws will continue to be the responsibility of the different levels of government, the Constitution will serve as the basis.
For over three years, Animal Equality has been working alongside other advocates to develop and promote a set of constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening animal protection across the country. These changes, now enshrined in law, include:
- Education (Article 3): School curricula will include content on animal protection.
- Animal Protection (Article 4): Mexico’s Government will be required to ensure animals are protected, treated well, conserved, and cared for. Animal cruelty is prohibited.
- Congressional Authority (Article 73): Mexico’s Congress now has the power to legislate in matters of animal protection and welfare.
These reforms includes protection for all animal and will be crucial for creating better laws for farmed animals and combating the widespread abuses documented by Animal Equality’s investigations, which have revealed shocking cruelty in Mexico’s farming and slaughterhouse industries:
- Animals hung by their legs, left to bleed out.
- Pigs dropped into boiling water while conscious.
- Lambs decapitated while conscious.
- Animals electrocuted.
- The presence of underage workers in slaughterhouses.
This change has been the result of the tireless efforts of thousands of people who have supported the campaign, from actions at home to the streets. People of all ages and parts of Mexico who for years have defended animals with such determination. From now on, the Constitution of Mexico reflects the collective effort and actions that each person drives every day to build a fairer world for all animals, recognising them as deserving of protection.
Cecilia Ortuño, Campaigns Coordinator in Animal Equality Mexico
One of the most active groups in this process was Animal Protectors, who carried out more than 82,000 face-to-face and digital actions such as demonstrations, sending emails to legislators, publications in networks, among others.
If you also want to be an active part of the next steps and achievements to create a fairer world, you can join Animal Protectors now.
The path to change
3rd December 2024, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo signed the decree of reforms to Articles 3,4, and 73 and sent them to the Official Journal of the Federation for publication.
28th November 2024, Twenty two state legislatures have approved the reforms, more than necessary to follow the legislative process. Now, both Chambers must declare approval and send it to the President for publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
21st November 2024, Senate approves animals in the Constitution. The full Senate passed the bill previously approved by the House of Representatives. These reforms have now been sent to state legislatures.
12th November 2024, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies – or lower house of Congress – unanimously approved reforms to Articles 3, 4, and 73. The bill now advances to the Senate, with final approval expected by year’s end.
October 2024: In her first address as head of state, Mexico’s new president – Claudia Sheinbaum – declared her support for constitutional reform to protect animals.
September 2024: Animal Equality’s Vice-President for Latin America met with Mexican legislators, who pledged to vote on constitutional reform. Meanwhile, advocates gathered at national monuments in Mexico City to raise awareness and collect petition signatures.
August 2024: The Constitutional Points Committee – a legislative body in Mexico – unanimously approved changes to Articles 3, 4, and 73 of the Constitution. They must now be voted on by the Plenary, or the lower house of Congress.
April 2024: Animal Equality engaged with lawmakers at the Guerrero State Forum, advocating for constitutional reform.
February 2024: Animal Equality met with legislators from the Political Coordination Board to discuss changes to the Constitution.
February 2024: The Federal Executive presented a package of initiatives, including changes to Articles 3, 4, and 73.
April 2023: Animal Equality launched a campaign urging the Senate to vote in favour of reforming Article 73.
30th March 2023: The Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies – or the lower house of Congress – approved the initiative to modify Article 73. It then passed to the Senate for approval.
14th March 2023: Animal Equality presented 100,000 petition signatures in Mexico’s Congress, urging for a reform to Article 73 of the Constitution.
January 2023: The initiative to reform Article 73 was approved by a legislative body known as the Constitutional Points Commission.
April 2022: Animal Equality proposed an amendment to Article 4 of the Constitution. This would recognise animals with complex nervous systems as sentient beings.
December 2021: Animal Equality – with support from legislator Gallardo García – proposed changes to Article 73 of Mexico’s Constitution. This amendment would allow Congress to create the country’s first nationwide animal protection law.
This victory is just the beginning
Animals around the world endure extreme cruelty and neglect. In the UK, Animal Equality has exposed 50 farms and slaughterhouses, uncovering consistent animal suffering, deliberate abuse, neglect, and illegal practices.
We are incredibly proud of our team in Mexico for championing the enactment of stronger animal protection laws that will be applied nationwide. This is a critical step toward creating a world where animals are truly respected and protected. However, we know that laws alone aren’t enough.
As shown in our UK Enforcement Problem report co-authored by the Animal Law Foundation, fewer than 3% of the country’s 290,000 farms are inspected each year. Only half of complaints lead to an inspection, and a mere 0.33% result in prosecution. Without proper oversight, even the strongest laws won’t make a real difference to the animals on the ground.
That’s why we’re working hard to push for a government-run farm licensing system, tougher penalties for animal abuse, and greater transparency to ensure stronger scrutiny and accountability on farms.
Recently, we commissioned the Social Market Foundation’s (SMF) report ‘Taking Responsibility’, which highlights the systemic failures in the enforcement of farmed animal laws and provides a roadmap for reform.
The UK is leading the way on this issue. If we succeed in getting these amendments passed, it could spark a domino effect that inspires countries around the world to follow suit. But we need your support to make this happen.
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