SIMILAR INITIATIVES
If you think that
Animals Count is an isolated 'drop in the ocean' it is good to
realise that it is, in fact, part of a global movement of
recognising the rights of animals, like those of people, in the
political arena.
Animal protection is no longer marginalised, but at the centre of people's concerns. In addition to NGO's professional political parties can make a world of difference for animals, the environment and people.
Dutch political 'Party for the Animals'
Before coming to the UK Jasmijn de Boo, co-founder and Chair of Animals Count, was actively involved in the Dutch political 'Party for the Animals' (in Dutch 'Partij voor de dieren') and she was a candidate for the 2004 European Parliament elections when the Party for the Animals almost gained a seat.
The Party for the Animals has been the most successful animal rights party so far; on 22 November 2006 they won two seats (almost 2% of all votes) in Dutch National Parliament, which is unique in the world! In addition, since March 2007 the Party for the Animals has 9 representatives in the Provincial States, and the world's first animal rights senator was inaugurated in the Senate on 12th June 2007.
The Dutch PA manifesto includes 220 measures to protect all living creatures and the environment from unnecessary and cruel exploitation. Furthermore, it offers policies on domestic and foreign affairs, defence, education, health, labour and pensions; in short, policies that aim to promote a more pleasant society.
Read more about the history of the Dutch 'Party for the Animals' >>
Check out these fascinating promotional animations and video clips on their website: Party for the Animals TV
Similar initiatives around the world
Similar initiatives exist in Spain, Germany, France, Canada and Australia and some of these parties contested in local or national elections.
PACMA, the Partido Antitaurino Contra el Maltrato Animal (the Spanish Political Party against mistreatment of Animals) won more than 13,000 votes in the Catalunya elections on 1st November 2006 and more than 41,000 votes in March 2008. There is obviously a growing concern for animals worldwide.
The German 'Partei Mensch Umwelt Tierschutz' (or 'Animal Protection') was already founded in 1993 as a political splinter party. An animal rights political party was recently founded in Germany.
In Australia a coalition of animal groups started the 'Ban Live Exports Party' in January 2004 to support the ongoing campaign against the export of sheep to the Middle East.
They focused on marginal political seats, but did not expect to win any of these seats themselves. Instead they applied pressure to the dominant Labour Party to improve its position on live exports or risk losing key seats, using the Australian system of preferential voting.