Italian animal rights groups launch petition to ban live animal sales

Animal rights organizations, including Animal Law Italia, Animal, Zoout, and the Free Animal Sanctuaries Network, have launched a national petition to ban the sale of live animals at markets and fairs across Italy. The ‘Not for Sale’ campaign seeks to establish a uniform national prohibition to address animal welfare concerns and public health risks.

While several cities such as Milan, Rome, Bari, Monza, Lecce, and La Spezia have already implemented bans, and the Puglia region has approved binding legislation, the current legal framework remains inconsistent across the country. In the Piedmont region, the municipality of Leinì has adopted a ban effective in 2026.

The movement follows field investigations conducted between 2025 and 2026 in Piedmont, Tuscany, and Puglia. Documented cases of mistreatment include birds kept in overcrowded cages in high temperatures, injured quail, and trout being killed with metal bars in front of customers. Advocates argue that these practices pose significant hygiene and sanitary risks to the public.