Politics of Animal Protection

Abstract

Community concern for animal welfare has the potential to lead to government legislation, principally at a national level. However, powerful interests in animal utilisation for profit have had significant influence on government policy, limiting attempts by the animal protection bodies to enhance the legislative framework. Indeed the animal protection bodies are often fragmented and have much less impact, even though it has been facilitated by the labour movement and increase of women in politics. In Britain there has been some government recognition of the widespread concern for animal welfare and rights in the formation of a Farm Animal Welfare Council, following the Brambell Committee that came about after the publication of Animal Machines by Ruth Harrison. This demonstrable government action on animal welfare in Britain has yet to be seen in the USA, but an increasing role for the European Union is emerging.