Campaigns and global issues

 Campaigning in Europe

Many of the issues that we campaign on are decided on at a European and global level. This applies particularly to campaigns on farm and research animals. A campaign to improve the welfare of animals used in laboratories, for instance, will be decided at a European level. We work closely with Eurogroup for Animals, the umbrella organisation for animal organisations, to ensure that unified campaigns happen in all 27 of the EU countries. Find out more about Eurogroup.

Over 40 per cent of the European budget is used to support farmers through the Common Agricultural Policy. In the past this has been used to support prices. We have been campaigning to ensure that this money is used to promote good welfare practices on farms. Find out more about CAP reform.

Global institutions

The World Trade Organisation (WTO)

We campaign global institutions such as the WTO to promote animal welfare and ensure that any rules in these conventions do not undermine national standards. 

As food consumed in the UK is increasingly being produced in other countries it is important that any imports meet European or British standards. This can be done by ensuring consumers are given clear information on the way that their food is produced and allowing countries to choose their own level of animal protection on imported food. Find out more about our relationship with the World Trade Organisation.

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

A new report from all the animal welfare organisations that work on improving global welfare standards has been published summarising their assistance with getting global animal standards, set by the OIE, implemented and enforced in over 30 countries worldwide. Visit the OIE website.

Read Supporting the implementing of the OIE animal welfare standards: The role that civil society plays.

Global issues

 

We recognise that there is a clear link between animal welfare, human development and conservation. We are committed to integrating our animal welfare work in developing countries into human development and wildlife conservation programmes to ensure that our activities benefit animals, humans and the environment.

 Find out more in where we work and in development and research.

Case study

REACH is a law passed by the EU in 2006 requiring the registration, evaluation and authorisation of around 30,000 chemicals. While it was intended to promote the safe use of chemicals and protect human health, it could potentially have led to a substantial number of animals being used to test these chemicals.

We campaigned to keep the use of animals as low as possible, and we were able to secure amendments to the proposal by joining working groups, taking part in consultations and discussing issues with MEPs, and members of staff from the European Commission.