THE HAGUE – Parliament will shortly discuss a PvdA private member bill banning sex with animals. Member of parliament Harm Evert Waalkens (PvdA) also wants the production of and trade in animal porn to become criminal offences.

“With this initiative I want to put an end to the perverted practices of bestiality,” said Waalkens, who was acclaimed protectionist of the year.

Waalkens feels it is high time for legislation to be adopted because currently sex with animals is only a criminal offence if it is evident that animals are suffering and animal abuse is proven.

Waalkens wants this legislation scrapped and bestiality to become a sex offence. “It is simply in violation of the prevailing morals,” Waalkens said.

The distribution of photos or films of bestiality via the internet is not yet a punishable offence either.

This also holds for the possession of films and photos as these kinds of images were never regarded as a criminal offence.

Waalkens: “The Netherlands is lagging behind in this area. The things you come across on the internet are just unbelievable. The Netherlands is a hub for the animal porn industry. Sixty-five percent of animal pornography is coming from this country.”