With the countdown on until Parliament dissolves on 30 March ahead of the General Election we’ve published our manifesto for animals. We all know that animals can’t vote in the election but we want to make sure that the next parliamentary session counts for them.
The OneKind Manifesto sets out the key legislative changes that we think should be prioritised by the incoming Government to make the world a better, safer place for animals. Essentially, this is like a wish list from us to policy makers.
We want to influence and encourage decision makers towards an agenda which recognises how important animal welfare is and prioritises it adequately. Compassion, respect and protection of animals must be everyone’s responsibility but Parliament can make a huge difference in shaping attitudes by setting a clear agenda.
OneKind has three priority campaigns which we focus on, as well as a number of other key issues which we take a keen interest in or assist with partner organisations’ campaigns. The manifesto makes recommendations for animals kept as pets and the pet trade; the welfare of animals in the wild; animals used in experiments; and animals used in food production and entertainment.
Our four big ‘asks’ include a wholesale review of pet vending to include all commercial breeding, sales, including the internet, and the growing trade in exotics; a ban on the manufacture, sale, possession and use of all snares; a comprehensive ban on the testing of household products and their ingredients on animals; and a ban on wild animals in circuses.
These are the big issues we’ll continue to campaign on but we also like to see other issues addressed such as reduced journey times for animals travelling to slaughter, CCTV required by law in approved slaughterhouses, positive standards for farm animals and improvements to zoo inspection regime. We’ve made significant progress in ensuring animals are protected from suffering under law but there’s still so much to do.
Ultimately, attitudes need to change so that animals are appreciated, respected and celebrated for what they are – different to us but just as valuable in their own right.
You can read the OneKind Manifesto here and in the next few days we’ll publish details of our election campaign with information on how you can get involved to make these elections count for animals.