ethical > animal welfare
The welfare of animals is an area of concern for the ethically minded, and is often a very emotive subject. This is especially so in the fields of animal experimentation and blood sports.
In 1998 the UK government announced it would no longer issue licences to test cosmetic products or ingredients on animals. However, there is currently no ban on selling cosmetics in the UK which have been tested abroad, so in reality this has done little to help the animals, as companies can just carry out their testing outside of Britain. See the Animal Aid website for more information.
Further, there is no ban on using animals to test household products such as bleach, washing-up liquid, laundry detergent, furniture polish and air freshener. Since the ban on cosmetics testing was brought in in 1998 the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) estimate that over 7,235 animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and even quails, have been used in household product tests, and they have set up a campaign to end this practice.
The League against Cruel Sports peaceably campaigns to restrict the expression of people
to participate in sports at the expense of animals. Also, the government has recently legislated in this area - see the Hunting Act 2004.
Four Paws is an animal welfare organisation with one goal: to help animals - abused due to economic, scientific or other reasons - to their rights.
For the ethical consumer animal welfare is choosing, where possible, options that minimise the effect of human activity upon animals. The obvious way to do this is to become vegetarian or vegan. If you can't imagine completely removing meat from your diet, try to choose organic meat, or to a lesser extent free range, which means the living space and conditions under which animals are reared is adequate to allow them to express themselves as naturally as possible.
Possibly the most well-known organisation supporting animal welfare is the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA). A charity founded in 1824, it is active across the whole range of animal protection, being involved in animal welfare and law enforcement as well as campaigning and education. It employs inspectors in prevention work, and veterinary experts in the care and treatment of farm livestock, wildlife, domestic pets and animals used in research. RSPCA Freedom Food is sold in many stores in the UK and is produced on inspected farms
to guarantee its standards are adhered to.
The red tractor is a voluntary food assurance scheme that commits farmers to higher
standards of animal welfare and food safety than the law provides for.
Over 78,000 UK farmers and growers are members of it.
However, some farm animals are still reared or caged in unnaturally confined spaces or under unnatural conditions. Compassion in World Farming is an organisation that seeks the
worldwide abolition of factory farming as well as promoting good animal welfare standards.
|
