IFAW: Missing a Voice: Animal Welfare Manifesto 2010

Tuesday, 9 March 2010 12:00 AM

Foreword
We face, in the 21st Century, many serious environmental threats, from climate change to habitat destruction, pollution, loss of biodiversity and the extinction of species. Only with concerted international and national efforts at government level can we rise to meet these challenges. This is why politics matters to the future of our own species, our habitat and the survival of the other animals with which we share our planet.

In this manifesto we set out our vision of the responsibilities and challenges that
face the next UK Government on the marine environment, trade in wildlife and animal welfare legislation. This is not an exclusive list; however we hope this snapshot will help persuade candidates from all political parties to not only carefully consider and support our recommendations, but realise the importance of these issues, and the public's strength of feeling about them.

Since its founding in 1969, IFAW has grown to be one of the world's largest animal welfare organisations with representation in 16 countries and over one million supporters worldwide.
As Director of the UK office, I am proud to have seen IFAW become a respected force for animal welfare and conservation worldwide. We now have around 400,000 supporters in the UK who assist our national and international efforts to protect animals from cruelty and preserve their habitats.

The Government we elect can make a difference not only to conservation and animal welfare within our own borders, but also around the world. Real progress has been made on animal welfare since the 2005 General Election, with strong cross-party support for the legislation on
animal welfare and the marine environment.We have also seen the ban on the cruel sport of hunting with dogs go from strength to strength with more than 100 people successfully prosecuted. Yet we have far more to achieve if we are to afford lasting protection to animals and the environment. Let us ensure we rise to meet the challenge.

Robbie Marsland, Director, IFAWUK

Summary of recommendations

The marine environment

Whaling
. Urge the InternationalWhaling Commission (IWC) to focus on whale conservation and agree a clear timetable for phasing out all commercial whaling.

. Renew high-level diplomatic efforts to challenge whaling conducted by Japan, Iceland and
Norway and counteract pressure from Japan to influence the votes of sovereign states at the IWC.

. Urge EU Member States and the European Commission to ensure the EU takes a strong common position at the IWC against any proposals which may undermine the maintenance of the ban on whaling.

. Urge EU Member States and the European Commission to resist any Icelandic requests for a derogation for whaling in the event that Iceland joins the EU.

Ocean noise pollution
. Implement the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and ensure that man-made ocean noise pollution is properly regulated.

. Participate fully in the International Maritime Environmental Protection Committee's new high
priority work item on ocean noise pollution.

Commercial seal hunting
. Support and enforce the EU ban on the commercial trade in seal products.
. Renew diplomatic efforts with Canada, Norway, Denmark (Greenland) and Namibia to seek an end to cruel commercial seal hunts.

UK seals
. Replace the Conservation of Seals Act with legislation giving seals real protection from being killed indiscriminately.
. Ensure all threats to UK seals, including bycatch in fishing gear and disturbance, are minimised.

Trade in endangered species

Elephants and ivory
. Financially support real conservation efforts in elephant range states and provide support to
the African Elephant Coalition.
. Monitor the effects of the 2008 ivory stockpile sales on elephant populations.
. Work with EU Member States and the European Commission to ensure the EU takes a strong common position in favour of real elephant conservation and against any ivory trade.

Wildlife trade on the Internet
. Enact robust domestic legislation on Internet wildlife trade.
. Launch a public awareness campaign targeting Internet users who may unwittingly buy or sell
animals or products illegally and a hotline/email system for easy reporting of suspicious trade by Internet users.
. Call for and urge countries to agree and enact an international action plan at CITES to tackle illegal wildlife trade on the Internet.

Tigers
. Renew high-level diplomatic efforts to convince the Chinese government to adopt a clear and
strict ban on any tiger trade in the future, including that from tiger farms, and to ensure
full implementation of such a ban.

.Work with like-minded countries to ensure all governments fully accept a no trade at all policy for tigers.

. Help build adequate enforcement capacity and assist in developing solutions to protect viable
habitats.

Hunting with dogs

. Ensure effective enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004.
. Introduce and promote a nationwide training programme for police officers and the Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS) on enforcing the Hunting Act.
. Roll out best practice amongst police forces and the CPS across the country.
. Ensure Hunting Act offences are recorded correctly on the National Standard for Incident
Recording (NSIR).

Download IFAW Animal Welfare Manifesto for more information

For more information on the International Fund for Animal Welfare visit the website.

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