Massive new problems called for a new kind of political Party

Over this half-century, however, a new holocaust was rapidly developing, today reaching unprecedented levels of abuse and torture of the fellow beings with whom we share our planet. Massive industrial production units where pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys spend horrific short existences are now the norm. But what goes on inside these factories and – worse still – the horrors of the slaughterhouse, have been revealed to the public via undercover film footage carried out by animal rights organisations. Growing numbers of animal-loving individuals – and even just decent people – have been outraged.

And still no action for companion animals

In addition, many are disappointed and find it totally unacceptable that the EU Commission still refuses to address the problem of Europe’s large homeless and abandoned cat and dog population (since it does not affect trade or ‘proportionality’).

The EU’s notorious CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) can spend 60 Billion Euros per year subsidizing industrial factory animal-rearing practices; yet funds cannot be assigned to a Pet Population Control programme! This in spite of urgent calls by both MEPs and citizens to prioritise the welfare of animals.

So, just as the Green movement came into being as awareness of planetary destruction was growing, in a similar manner the Animal Party movement has come into being in response to the animal holocaust, and has speedily grown.

Once more, Germany was a pioneer with the founding in 1993 of the Human Environment Animal Welfare Party (Partei Mensch Umwelt Tierschutz). The movement then saw a strong Party emerge in the Netherlands with the creation of the Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren) in 2002. Other countries rapidly followed: Spain, Canada, UK, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Denmark, USA, Sweden, Turkey, Cyprus (2014) and Finland (in chronological order). The first move towards coalition came rapidly, with the Euro Animal 7 Group in 2014. The Animal Party Cyprus was present at this event, in Belgrade.

Why worry about animals when humans are suffering?

This is now understood to be a false question, even by agencies such as the EU, FEV, etc.

Raising animals in crowded, inhumane conditions can only be done using antibiotics to keep them alive. Thus we see diseases that are resistant to antibiotics; this a a major concern that has led to the ONE WELFARE ONE HEALTH initiative. When animals suffer, humans suffer. It is known that acts of savagery inflicted on animals is closely connected to such crimes being perpetrated on humans: Cyprus has seen massive public demonstrations in response to acts of savagery committed on dogs.

Heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, while destroying the soil, also damage the human body.

Unethical agriculture is fast destroying peoples’ (and animals’) environment

Humans have already cleared 70 percent of all grasslands, half of all savannas, 45 percent of temperate deciduous forests and 27 percent of tropical forests. In addition, intensification of agriculture—changes in irrigation, fertiliser use and other practices aimed at boosting per-acre yield—has increased water pollution, local water shortages and energy use. Strikingly, agricultural activities such as clearing land, growing rice, raising cattle and overusing fertilizers make up the single largest contributor of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Abuse of animals= destruction of our living planetary home.