The Green Party will begin a week long campaign on Monday (11 April) to highlight the benefits continued EU membership will have for animal welfare in the UK.
As well as demonstrating how a vote to leave the EU could have a profound impact on the welfare of farm and research animals, Greens for a Better Europe [1] will celebrate the significant contribution the UK has made to the welfare of animals across the continent through its EU membership [2].
Keith Taylor, MEP for the South East and the Green Party’s spokesperson on animals is campaigning for an In vote because of the European Union’s successes, including strengthening laws to protect animals in farms and laboratories, ending the trade in cat and dog fur and seal products and banning cosmetics tested on animals.
Taylor said:
"On animal welfare, a cause I am deeply committed to, we have achieved many unquestionably positive things together in Europe; the EU has improved conditions for animals where national governments have failed to act, and its influence is felt beyond European borders.
“The EU brought in a blanket ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal tested cosmetics; ended the use of great apes in research, improved welfare standards for farm animals, strengthened wildlife protection and cracked down on the illegal ivory trade.
“It was the EU that first recognised animals as sentient beings: the EU Lisbon Treaty stipulates that, as sentient beings, full regard should be paid to animals' welfare requirements. EU animal protection laws are frequently stronger than those applied in other parts of the world and while there is a desperate need to campaign for better standards, it is also worth remembering how much has been achieved.
“While our own government is continuing to vigorously weaken these important safeguards - the UK government has already tried to weaken laws on laboratory animals - it’s our shared laws which are working effectively to protect the wildlife and nature that we hold so dear.
“Therefore, I believe that it is only by keeping our seat at the EU table that the UK can have a say. We all know the EU isn't perfect, but let us celebrate the achievements we have made to protect our lives, our country, and our animals, and continue working together on the shared challenges we face.”
ENDS
Notes:
[1] On 14 March, 2016, the party launched its own, distinct campaign for the UK to remain in the EU:
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2016/03/10/greens-for-a-better-europe-to-launch-14-march/
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/europe
[2] - The UK banned sow stalls in 1999, EU ban followed in 2013.
- The UK banned veal crates in 1990, EU ban followed in 2007.
- The UK banned animal testing for cosmetics in 1998, the EU in 2009.