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Animals Count !
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Animals Count will be the first UK party ever to put animals at the top of the political agenda. It will encourage other political parties to raise the bar as long as they fail to protect the weaker individuals of our society.
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“With half the EC budget going on unnecessary livestock subsidies, there’s never been a better time to re-examine tax payers’ money spent on unsustainable farming methods that are associated with poor animal welfare and human health,” says Animals Count party founder Jasmijn de Boo, 31, who was a candidate for the Dutch ‘Party for the Animals’ in the 2004 European Parliament elections. This party won two seats in the Dutch Parliament on 22 November 2006 in their third elections in three years.Ms Marianne Thieme (leader) and Ms Esther Ouwehand (no.2), MPs for the Dutch Party for the Animals will be present at the inaugural Animals Count meeting on 3rd December.
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Animals Count intends to field candidates for the 3rd May 2007 Welsh Assembly elections, targeting those seats (20) that are chosen by proportional representation rather than via the ‘first past the post system’. For a media info pack and interviews please contact: Jasmijn de Boo (Chair), phone: 078 80624310, email: info@animalscount.org, website: www.animalscount.org
 Millions of animals are exploited every day for food, consumer products, so-called 'sports' or other forms of entertainment, as models for human disease, or are simply neglected. Issues of major concern include intensive farming, the use of animals in scientific research and testing, improper companion animal care and ongoing pressures on wildlife. We have a duty to protect animals from suffering. Defending animals is about upholding the right to life; particularly, a cruelty free life. At present animals are not adequately protected by any political party. Animal issues never rise to the top of the political agenda because political parties are primarily concerned with humanitarian issues. However, many animal issues are highly politicised, with advocates for animals and opponents across the political spectrum.
Do you want real improvements for animals? Are you disappointed in the current political system? It's time to change! The UK has a reputation for being the world's leading animal-loving nation. Let's show this even more in a democratic, new and exciting political party that is primarily focused on animals: Animals Count!
Animals Count will be active in England, Wales and Scotland. Its founder, Jasmijn de Boo, was an active member of the highly-successful Dutch 'Political Party for the Animals', which went from strength to strength in the Dutch general elections in 2003, the 2004 European Parliament elections, and which won two seats in the general election on 22 November 2006!
Our vision : A world in which animals are not exploited and are seen and treated as sentient beings.
Our mission : To establish a voice for the animals through a dedicated political party that focuses on respect and compassion for all living beings.
The first elections Animals Count will contest are the 2007 elections for the Welsh Assembly.
Animals Count aims to:
 Phase out farming systems with poor welfare consequences for animals End the long distance transportation of live animals Establish an independent transparent scientific inquiry to thoroughly review the ethical, scientific and economic implications of animal research Ban all hunting, with no loopholes Establish a basic national animal health care system comparable to the NHS |
