Voting for the voiceless this election!

8.36.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Apr 2010

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is launching a supporter campaign to place animal welfare on candidates' agendas in the run-up to the general election.

WSPA has some 150 000 supporters in the UK, who care deeply about animal welfare issues here in the UK and internationally. When casting their vote they want to be reassured of the UK Government's commitment to promoting high animal welfare standards.

WSPA's supporters will be questioning their local candidates on their commitment to animal welfare. They say, "when knocking on our supporters' doors, be prepared to be quizzed on the animal welfare issues that matter to them." They refer to three animal welfare issues in particular. Here they are, and in case I don't get to knock on your door this month, I've added my answers. Fortunately the questions are quite easy to give a straight answer to.

Intensification of dairy farming. Will you oppose gigantic, intensive indoor dairy farms, like the proposed Nocton Dairies farm in Lincolnshire?

A. Yes.

Bear farming in Asia. Will you call for the UK Government for a public statement renewing Britain's commitment to ending cruel bear farming?

A. Yes.

IWC and commercial whaling ban. What will your government do to ensure the commercial whaling ban is upheld?

Everything in its power. Those nations still practicing commercial whaling need to understand the revulsion felt by the civilised world for this activity.

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WSPA advocates on behalf of animals globally, improving international animal welfare through campaigning and lobbying, education and cooperation. The only animal welfare organisation to have consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe, WSPA is the world's largest alliance of animal welfare societies, with more than 1,000 member organisations working in over 150 countries to address global animal welfare issues.

www.wspa.org.uk