Dier Natuur & Milieu Animals Count . www.Dier-Natuur-Milieu.nl/animalscount

. www.animalscount.org Animals Count ! 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. . “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. . 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

. Frequently Asked Questions Is there a need for a party that focuses on animal issues? Yes! Although many animal issues are highly politicised in the UK, with advocates for animals and opponents across the political spectrum, the issues rarely achieve the top of the political agenda. Hundreds of thousands supporters of animal protection organisations are disappointed in the current political parties and feel their concerns about animals are not heard. Why establish a new ‘animal’ party instead of joining the Green Party? A vote for the Green Party is in essence a vote for the environment. There is nothing wrong with that, but animal issues will never be at the top of the Green Party’s agenda. It’s time to dedicate a political party to the billions of sentient beings that suffer at our hands. Is Animals Count a single issue party? Although the focus of the manifesto issues is on animals, the important link between animals, people and the environment will be the central message. Obviously justice, immigration, foreign policy and other issues are important too, but other political parties already deal with them. Animals need a voice in politics and protection from policies that adversely affect them. Would a small new party have any effect in a system where there is no proportional representation? The first-past-the-post system is not conducive to establishing new parties; however we would initially join the Welsh Assembly elections in 2007 where there is a mixed proportional representation system. Animals Count will be campaigning right in the heart of the political arena, with the aim of exerting pressure on other political parties to make them more animal friendly. As long as animals are not protected adequately by existing UK political parties, a dedicated animal party is required to ‘shake up’ the current system. Will Animals Count be linked to the animal liberation front? No! The work of Animals Count is purely legal and is contained in the political arena where the power of animal protection legislation is stronger and more sustainable. Are there any similar parties in other European countries? Yes! The most successful party is the Dutch ‘Political Party for the Animals’ which almost gained seats in national Parliament in 2003, in European Parliament in 2004, which won two seats in Dutch parliament in the general elections of 22 November 2006! In Germany , France , Spain and Belgium similar parties for the animals exist. Where will Animals Count be active? Initially Animals Count will field candidates in the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections, but the Party will be operating nationwide in the near future. Do you have to be a vegetarian to join? No, all animal advocates are welcome to become a member. People who profit from animal abuse practices will be barred. We expect that when more facts about animal cruelty, the adverse impact of meat on the earth and on people’s health become available, people will choose to change to a vegetarian lifestyle.

. New Years resolution : ensuring all ANIMALS COUNT  The launch of Animals Count, a political party for a better world for people and animals, in December 2006, marked the beginning of a new level playing field for the animal protection movement. For the first time in British history animals are put at the top of the political agenda by recognising the important link between people, animals, and the environment. Since the launch we received countless emails in support and many offered to help. Financial support or voluntary work, spreading the message and distributing leaflets are gratefully received. Thousands of people checked the website and many requested further information. In the coming months we will: Develop a full manifesto from our 19 aims Hold meetings in Wales (20/21 January), London (10 February) and other towns for members of the public and those who are interested in getting more involved. Build relations with volunteers and Recruit more members. Animals Count does not receive any government funding, however, in order to run a full-fledged political campaign for the next May elections, we need substantial support. Let's make sure that all Animals Count!

. Similar initiatives around the world If you think that Animals Count is an isolated 'drop in the ocean' it is good to realise that it is, in fact, part of a global movement of recognising the rights of animals, like those of people, in the political arena. Animal protection is no longer marginalised, but at the centre of people's concerns. In addition to NGO's professional political parties can make a world of difference for animals, the environment and people. Dutch political 'Party for the Animals' Our inspiration is the Dutch political 'Party for the Animals' (in Dutch 'Partij voor de dieren') which has been the most successful 'animal' party so far; on 22 November 2006 they won two seats in Dutch National Parliament, which is unique in the world! The Dutch PA manifesto includes 220 measures to protect all living creatures and the environment from unnecessary and cruel exploitation. Furthermore, it offers policies on domestic and foreign affairs, defence, education, health, labour and pensions. Similar initiatives around the world Similar initiatives exist in Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Canada and Australia and some of these parties contested in local or national elections. The German 'Partei Mensch Umwelt Tierschutz' (or 'Animal Protection') was already founded in 1993 as a political splinter party. In Australia a coalition of animal groups started the 'Ban Live Exports Party' in January 2004 to support the ongoing campaign against the export of sheep to the Middle East. They focused on marginal political seats, but did not expect to win any of these seats themselves. Instead they applied pressure to the dominant Labour Party to improve its position on live exports or risk losing key seats, using the Australian system of preferential voting.

. Manifesto Animals Count Our mission is to establish a voice for the animals through a dedicated political party, which focuses on respect and compassion for all living beings. We believe that animals, whose well-being often ends up at the bottom of people's priority list, are in need of better protection. Animals Count will set a new agenda on animal welfare, an issue dear to millions and on which MP’s receive more mail than any other. As the UK political party most strongly advocating for the protection of animals, ‘Animals Count’s aims are: To raise the moral and legal status of animals by recognising them as sentient beings, including through facilitating recognition and consideration of the rights of animals in the UK Constitution, in the UK Animal Welfare Act and in EU Directives and other international legislation. To facilitate increased respect for all sentient life by promoting animal welfare education and humane education at all educational levels. To protect the environment through sustainable farming and development activities. To protect human rights and promote healthy living. Farmed animals To phase out farming systems with poor welfare consequences for animals. To improve animal welfare by raising farming standards and by removing trade barriers and other measures that encourage poor welfare or husbandry standards. Alternatives not using animals or practices greatly enhancing animal welfare are supported. To phase out livestock farming subsidies in sectors where consumer demand is falling, and redirect such subsidies towards plant based agriculture and the promotion of biodiversity. Livestock farming subsidies should further be redirected to: 'environment', 'education', 'public health' and 'pensions'. To end the long distance transportation of live animals to European continental destinations and further afield. Laboratory animals Establish an independent transparent scientific inquiry to thoroughly review the ethical, scientific and economic implications of animal research. Based on ethical, ecological and scientific grounds the use of all non-human primates in experiments should be banned immediately. To ban all harmful use of animals in scientific research, toxicity testing and education. To facilitate increased funding for the development, validation and implementation of non-animal alternatives. Wild animals To ban all hunting. To promote wildlife preservation, habitat conservation and biodiversity. Companion animals To establish a basic national animal health care system comparable to the NHS. To establish a list of animals that can suitably be kept as companion animals based on their needs. All other (exotic) animals are unsuited as pets and should not be kept. To ban breeding of companion animals to meet breed standards or for other purposes that result in hereditary anatomical, physiological or other impairments potentially contrary to animal welfare. To strengthen legislation and regulations against animal neglect and abuse by strengthening and extending police powers, increasing penalties for offenders, and increasing public education programmes concerning responsible companion animal care and related topics. Animals used for entertainment To phase out the use of animals for blood sports, racing events, any other form of entertainment, and in advertising, that may result in adverse animal welfare consequences.