Petition power !

[Louise, London]

Just got back from a talk given by a vegan MP at the London Vegan monthly gathering. Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol, gave quite a good account of what life is like in government.  Nobody is talking about animal suffering.  Animals are talked of  as more or less profitable units of agriculture.  I heard that the government answer to environmental issues is to create new intensification farming practices of 26,000 pigs to a barn, 80,000 cows to a shed. 

There was one positive thing I learned though.  Apparently, if there is an online petition with over 100,000 signatures, then attention is given to the issue in government.  Because they aren’t only swayed by powerful conglomerates, they are also swayed by voters.  So, gathering numbers in online protests, and writing to an MP, does have some effect.

Another bit of good news is I found out there are 3 vegan MP’s and around 40 vegetarian! 

[Louise, London]

Having said that, I just realised that I'm suggesting supporting welfare reforms, via petitioning government, on an animal rights site.  Where I think I'm coming to understand, supporting higher welfare conditions is inconsistent with an abolitionist philosophy.  I'm still trying to figure out where i sit on this issue.  I want all animals to be free, equal, and all beings to be loved and respected.  I want to campaign for veganism, and trust that the animal abuse industries will just notice that less meat is being consumed as more people become vegan, and make the leap to increased welfare standards, as a way of trying to get business back.  So I don't know...do we petition for reforms if it reduces some suffering now?  Or just educate people about speciesism and promote veganism ?  I just don't know, but my reaction is to want to do all at once.  Anything we can, to just reduce suffering. 

[Kerry Baker]

Hi Louise.  There is an office in the EU that specifically looks at animal welfare and I should think will be on top of this issue.  One of the major issues however that will make politicians have to change attitudes towards animals is about the overuse of antibiotics and development of the 'superbugs'. the EU looked at this issue and found that 80% of antibiotics used globally are used n factory farms to stop these animals getting sick in cramped conditions.  There is serious concern and some medical practitioners believe we are already in a post-antibiotic world. So, while it's a horrible thing, I think that the cruelties that humans inflict on animals will come back to bite us and force change.