Counting on Europe's Promise to Animals - by Professor Peter Singer

Can Europe continue to lead the way for animals?

Europe leads the world in its recognition, now incorporated into the basic law of the European Union, that animals are not simply items of property, but sentient beings. At the coming European elections, voters have an opportunity to take further steps towards making that vision a reality.

Millions of EU citizens consider the poor treatment of farm animals to be a major issue. As a result of their work, some of the worst atrocities of animal confinement in factory farms are being phased out. Last November, the voters of California followed Europe’s lead, banning the battery cage and other forms of animal confinement that do not allow animals to stretch their limbs freely, or turn around.

The progress Europe has already made, in factory farming, in developing alternatives to animal experimentation, and recently, in banning the important of seal skin from the cruel Canadian seal hunt, has prevented an immense amount of unnecessary suffering. But factory farming itself is as vast an industry as ever, still devastating the environment, making a huge contribution to global warming, wasting food, and giving billions of animals miserable lives.

The key question is not ‘Do animals have rights?’, but ‘Can they suffer?’ As science progresses, we now know that animals are feeling beings in much the same way as humans. We know that like us, animals can experience profound joy and suffering. So why are some animals ‘dinner,’ and others companions?

No one who has shared their home with a dog or cat would seriously consider killing them for food, fur or to test chemicals. We know that these animals are individuals, each with his or her own personality. But so are the millions of pigs, cows and even chickens on intensive farms. So too are the mice and rats that are used for so much unnecessary product testing. The link between humans and companion animals demonstrates that respect for other living beings, once we get to know them, is strong. Unfortunately most people do not know individual animals on farms and in laboratories. We should extend that respect to all sentient beings, and give their interests the same consideration we would give to similar interests of human beings.

Animals and natural resources are being exploited to the point of irreversible damage. Forests in South America are disappearing because Europe demands huge amounts of animal feed. We are setting an example to people in China and India that threatens to overwhelm our planet. If everyone in the world ate as much meat as we do, we would need at least three planets to feed everyone.

That our current levels of meat eating are unsustainable has been recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN (FAO), and other institutions. Corrective measures are available, but unfortunately most politicians give priority to the short-term needs of their corporate sponsors above the issues that really matter: clean air, clear water, a thriving earth, and a respectful relationship between people and animals.

In five European countries, political parties for animals are contesting the June EU elections. In the Netherlands the Party for the Animals already has two MPs, one Senator and 17 provincial representatives. Germany has the oldest Animal Protection Party. In Italy the Animal Party has joined forces with the Greens and the Eurosceptics. The ‘Anti-bullfighting Party Against Mistreatment of Animals’ has received substantial support in previous Spanish elections; and now in the UK, Animals Count is standing in the Eastern region, building on a good election result in the 2008 London Assembly elections.

I would not advocate voting for a single-issue party in a first-past-the-post election. But given the proportional representation voting system, these parties have a chance of getting an MEP elected, and giving them your vote will not reduce the prospects of the “next best” party getting elected. The animals can’t vote, and therefore we need political parties to speak on their behalf, to take animal issues to the top of the political agenda, and to influence other more-established parties to bring Europe’s promising vision for animals closer to reality. I am encouraged by the thought that the European Parliament might soon welcome the first political representatives for animals; often the most vulnerable and forgotten beings in society.

Successful launch of Animals Count's manifesto

Unlike most political parties that launch their manifesto in boring conference halls, Animals Count demonstrated yet again to be different. We launched our manifesto outdoors, at the Kings Oak, High Beach, Loughton, Essex, on Sunday 24th May, where we were greeted by many dog owners who were keen to receive a free general veterinary check up of their dog.

Animals Count President and veterinarian, Andrew Knight provided free dog consultations. The response was very positive, with many people saying they would vote for us. One person even thought Andrew was an animal healer because one dog almost fell asleep during examination :) We were blessed with perfect weather and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

We are confident that we will receive many votes; not just because Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are selfish, greedy and incompetent when it comes to the economy and running the country, but also because more and more people recognise that these parties will never make the required changes necessary to protect animals. Our manifesto contains the most comprehensive set of policies on animal issues of any party contesting the EU elections.

4th June EU elections. Bring 'em on!

Political campaigning fairer in the Netherlands

When I was a candidate for the Dutch Party for the Animals in the 2004 EU elections in the Netherlands, the campaign consisted of handing out leaflets on the street and putting up posters on billboards in every city, town and village across the country. Every political party is allocated one spot on the billboard, and this helps voters become aware of which parties and candidates are contesting the elections.

The other main outreach method was the media; we had articles in regional newspapers, we were on the radio and regional/national TV. The support of about 10 celebrities (actors, authors, artists, TV presenters, etc.) on our party list ('list-pushers') attracted a lot of media and public attention. And we participated in debates across the country. I spoke at a highschool and my former agricultural college, and participated in a 2h popular national radio show. The lead candidate, Marianne Thieme, participated in a large number of debates, talkshows and interviews. We received over 153,000 votes, which was just short of a seat in the European Parliament.

Except for the leaflets, none of the tactics are used in the UK during election periods. As far as I understand there is an 'interview' ban in the media, although some MEPs or candidate MEPs do feature in newspapers or TV, so the rules are not clear. The only means of outreach here seem to be the old-fashioned leaflet and the modern way of using the internet. But to reach every household in a region, a party requires more than £30,000 to print leaflets. Smaller parties are usually not able to raise these funds. Hence, more-established parties will already be at an advantage and it doesn't seem to be in their interest to change the campaigning rules.

Let's hope people will see that many politicians are into politics to progress their own career and to enrich themselves, while Animals Count will be defending the overwhelming majority in society who need our support most; the animals. Vote for Animals Count on 4th June in the Eastern region!

Politics with intrinsic integrity

Where will you find a political party with intrinsic integrity? All of the elected parties have recently been exposed in unacceptable MP expense claims, caught by the Electoral Commission for fraudulent donations, involved in (online) smear campaigns, etc. Yet, why are we surprised?

Many politicians are in the business of politics because it's their career. Not because they particularly care strongly about certain issues. The frequent re-shuffling in ministerial and secretarial posts is a good example of lack of true dedication to the field the politicians work in.

Animals Count is different. Animals Count is a political party for people and animals, and for the first time in history a UK party for animals will be contesting the EU elections on 4th June in the Eastern region. We are not in politics because we want to be the ruling party in government, but we intend to shake up the system and raise the bar for animals across the political spectrum.

Animal issues are dear to millions of voters yet remain poorly represented by almost all politicians, and they generally feature at the bottom of the political agenda. We are not interested in self-enhancement or short-term policies that respond to the whim of the day; we stand up for the weakest beings in society; the animals. And we propose policies that benefit animals, the planet and people on a long-term basis.

Animals Count is a breath of fresh air; literally, because we propose to rapidly reduce the polluting animal agriculture industry both on animal welfare and environmental grounds. We need a reduction of 50% in European meat production and consumption either by everyone eating half as much meat, or 50% of people eating no meat, or somewhere in between, in order to achieve a real reduction in CO2 and other global warming gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. Without such measures, global warming will become irreversible. None of the other political parties do what needs to be done.

Animals Count stands out in another way. It is interesting to note that none of the 13 other parties (and one independent candidate) in the Eastern region chose to have a woman lead their electoral list. The Eastern region has been betrayed by some MEPs, one of whom has been arrested for fraud. Animals Count will set things right for animals, people and the environment.