ANIMALS COUNT FIRST PARTY CONFERENCE, 4TH OF OCTOBER, BIRMINGHAM
Animals Count – the new political party for people and animals – successfully held its first Party Conference on World Animal Day at the Carrs Lane Church Centre in Birmingham, thereby claiming the city back from the animal-unfriendly Tories who held their conference in Birmingham last week.
Animals Count members came from all over England and Wales. Delicious vegan catering, including yummy cakes, was enjoyed by all. Leader Jasmijn de Boo reviewed the successes of Animals Count and its Dutch sister party, which already has two MPs. The Committee of National Officers and members also discussed plans for contesting the 2009 European Parliamentary (EP) Elections.
Building on the success of the May 2008 London Assembly Elections, when Animals Count received nearly 2,000 votes in the Lambeth/Southwark constituency, we are now aiming to contest the European Parliament elections on 4th June 2009.
A total of 72 Members of the European Parliament (EP) will be elected in the UK, and Animals Count aims to contest at least one region.
The EP elections are of utmost importance for animals and the environment. Many EU Directives, Conventions and other regulations determine policy relating to animals, and have implications for UK legislation. For example, the EU recently announced a ban on seal products. The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies and trade regulations have a huge effect on billions of farmed animals, and long distance transport of livestock is cruel and unnecessary.
The EU often sets policy based on the lowest common denominator, while the UK is usually more progressive than other European countries in terms of animal protection. The Lisbon Treaty, for example, which has not yet been ratified by most EU Member States, allows for practices that respect cultural and traditional views. This means that bullfighting and other cruel animal practices are condoned. Animals Count wants this article to be amended. There can be no exceptions for animal cruelty as "entertainment" in small pockets of the EC because "it has always been this way."
During the coming months Animals Count will be preparing for the EP elections. The Dutch political Party for the Animals is very likely to win one or two seats in the European Parliament. We hope to achieve similar success so that we can work together in the EU to improve billions of animals' lives, not only in the UK, but across Europe, and put an end to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) squandering half the EU budget subsidising cruel, unhealthy animal foods.
However, the deposit to contest any region is £5,000 so we need to raise sufficient funds for our election campaign. Our target is a minimum of £6,000, which would allow £1,000 to run a shoestring campaign similar to our recent London electoral campaign, although £10-15,000 would be required in order to run a full-fledged campaign (leaflets, posters, other public awareness items and media engagement).
Six generous Animals Count members have jointly pledged to match any donations by supporters before mid December, on a pound for pound basis, up to a total of £1,500!! E.g. a donation of £100 would result in £200 for Animals Count! Can you, or anyone you know, help us give animals a voice in the UK European Parliamentary elections of 2009?
For more information regarding our aim to contest the June 2009 EP elections, please view our letter, or contact Jasmijn de Boo.
The next Animals Count Party Conference will take place in Spring 2009.
11 November, 2008 