Newsletter Party for the Animals Worldwide Volume 3:2025
Dear friends of animals
We are proud to present to you the third newsletter of 2025 from the Animal Politics Foundation! This newsletter will cover the latest updates on the campaigns, political actions, and developments from the Party for the Animals in the European Parliament as well as all our sister parties around the globe.
Motion of Censure against Ursula von der Leyen!
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
The Party for the Animals, with support from members of The Left, the Greens, and several independent MEPs, has submitted a Motion of Censure against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The motion, supported by 72 MEPs, criticizes von der Leyen’s environmental record, accusing her of weakening or abandoning key environmental and animal welfare policies, including the long-delayed ban on caging animals. The Party for the Animals also condemns the Mercosur trade deal, including its negative impact on the Amazon and animal welfare. Finally, the Motion of Censure criticizes the continued EU arms exports to Israel despite the ongoing genocide against Palestinians, calling von der Leyen’s response grossly inadequate.
European Union bans animal testing for cleaning products and detergents!
Thanks to a proposal spearheaded by Anja Hazekamp from the Party for the Animals, the European Union is banning detergents and other cleaning agents that have been tested on animals. The Environmental Committee of the Parliament voted in favour of the new regulation with 70 votes in favour and three against. As summarized by Anja: ‘’Every animal that we can save from the fate of animal testing makes a difference’’. In addition, the new regulation will require clearer labelling of ingredients and dosage to reduce pollution and overuse and empowers the EU to set stricter standards on the biodegradability of detergent capsules, which helps to combat microplastic pollution.
European Parliament wants to further restrict labelling of plant-based products
Plant-based products
The Agricultural Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of prohibiting labels such as ‘steak’, ‘burger’, or ‘sausage’ from being used for plant-based products. Next, the proposal will be voted on during the plenary sessions of the Parliament, probably in October. Unfortunately, with a largely conservative Parliament, there is a chance that the proposal will be accepted. Our MEPs, however, will continue to fight against these attempts to undercut sustainable and animal-friendly plant-based alternatives.
New Zealand’s Animal Justice Party has succeeded in polls and banned Greyhound racing!
Greyhound racing
The Australian Animal Justice Party mayoral candidate, Rob McNeil, recently came second in the election polls for Auckland. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, which makes this result even more groundbreaking. In addition, the tireless advocacy by the Animal Justice Party in New Zealand has resulted in a ban on greyhound racing in Aotearoa! In addition to ending greyhound racing by 31 July 2026, the Cabinet has also agreed to set up a transition agency, provide support for industry members, and help with the rehoming of greyhounds.
Australian Animal Justice Party passes bill to protect children and animals from s*xual abuse and celebrates win for greyhounds
MP Emma Hurst from the Australian Animal Justice Party has successfully passed a Bill to protect both children and animals from s*xual abuse. The Bill changes the outdated term ‘bestiality’ to ‘animal s*xual abuse’ and expands the definition so all forms of abuse are recognised and prosecuted. Now that the Bill has passed the Upper House, it will head to the Lower House. In addition, Western Australia has announced an inquiry into greyhound racing, which will examine industry practises and operations, centre greyhound welfare, assess industry accountability, and investigate the effectiveness of adopting, rehoming, and post-racing care.
The Animal Protection Party of Canada petitions against the import of monkeys from Cambodia for research.
Monkey
The Animal Protection Party of Canada has started a petition against the import of endangered monkeys from Cambodia for research purposes. The monkeys are transported under inhumane circumstances, packed in tiny crates and exposed to extreme temperatures. Once in Canada, the monkeys are destined for lives of pain, as they are being used for research and drug development experiments that have no evidence of actually translating to humans. The petition calls on the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to immediately suspend all imports of endangered monkeys from Cambodia, and can be signed here until September 26: link to petition.
French animal justice party joins parliamentary by-elections for the first time
For the first time, the French animal justice party Parti Animaliste is participating in the parliamentary by-elections in various constituencies. Representing the party of the ballot are Douchka Markovic (Paris), Sandra Krief (French from abroad) and Eddine Ariztegui (Tarn-et-Garonne). We wish these candidates the best of luck in their elections!
Multiple successes for the animals in Portugal!
The Portuguese animal justice party PAN has reported multiple successes for the animals of the their social media accounts. For instance, PAN managed to unlock 14.5 million euros from the state budget to support animal protection organizations. Another success involves the adopted proposal to establish a free national animal protection helpline that can be accessed 14/7 to help animals in need.
The Dutch Party for the Animals is preparing for the upcoming national elections
The Dutch Party for the Animals is busy campaigning for the upcoming national elections on October 29th. Their five main standpoints are: 1) animal rights in the constitution, 2) at least a 75% reduction in livestock, 3) 5% of GDP to climate and nature, 4) no pesticides in our food and agriculture, 0% tax on fruits and vegetables, and a ban on PFAS and toxic steel waste, 5) acknowledge Palestine, sanctions against Russia and Israel, and protect people in vulnerable positions. We wish them the best of luck with the rest of the campaign and the election itself!
Petition to protect common wood pigeons in Finland
Pigeon
The Finnish animal justice party has shared a citizen initiative from another animal welfare party that aims to halt the hunting of wood pigeons during their nesting cycle. The current hunting cycle risks young birds starving to death if the mother is killed. If enough Finnish citizens sign it, the government would be forced to discuss the issue and come to a decision. Although the Finnish animal justice party would of course prefer a total ban on hunting wood pigeons, this initiative is a small step in the right direction given that the Finnish government is unlikely to fully ban hunting anytime soon. If you can, please share the petition with any Finnish friends and acquaintances! https://www.kansalaisaloite.fi/fi/aloite/15823
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Together, we make a difference!
The Animal Politics Foundation Team