#UK: Scotland's Parliament May Consider Petition To Ban Meat By 2040

[world politics news]

The Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will consider a new petition that calls for a countrywide meat consumption ban by 2040.

Roger Green submitted the petition. He is a member of Vote With Your Fork, a campaign that seeks to move the world towards a meat-free future. The petition sets out environmental reasoning behind the idea, alongside concerns about animal welfare.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#GERMANY: Green Legislators Urge Higher Meat Taxes To Fight Global Warming

[world politics news]

Some German politicians are speaking out in favor of raising the Value Added Tax on meat in a bid to improve animal welfare and cut CO2 emissions.

The decision makers want to raise the tax to the standard VAT, or 19%, up from the current 7% that consumers are currently required to pay for meat products.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Nova Scotia Passes Tough New Animal Cruelty Laws; Makes Cat Declawing Illegal

[world politics news]

The province of Nova Scotia earlier this month passed strong new animal protection legislation, becoming the first province in the country to make cat declawing illegal. The new laws also put an end to tail docking, ear cropping, devocalizing dogs, and other unnecessary cosmetic surgeries on companion animals. Those who declaw cats or otherwise mutilate animals for cosmetic reasons could face up to six months in jail and a $25,000 fine for a first offence.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#AUSTRIA: Regional Animal Welfare Minister Suggests "Registering Jews" Who Want To Kill Animals For Kosher Food - Gov't Rejects Idea

[world politics news]

A regional politician's plan that would have allowed Jews to buy kosher meat only if they were officially registered and granted a special permit has been quickly shot down by Federal officials. The Minister for Animal Welfare in the state of Lower Austria, Gottfried Waldhausl, said it was an attempt to reduce the amount of animals ritually slaughtered every year. Government spokesman Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal said Austria would "protect the freedoms and fundamental rights of our Jewish fellow citizens." And tweeted, "The Federal Government rejects any form of personal registration in connection with the purchase of kosher meat, such an idea is out of question."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Catalans Vow To Keep Bullfighting Ban After Spanish Court Reverses Regional Ban

[world politics news]

The Catalan Minister for Territory and Sustainability, Josep Rull, assured that the government will do everything in its power to keep the ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, a ban which has been reversed  by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Rull insisted that "death and animal torture will not be allowed," despite the court's ruling. Bullfighting was effectively banned in Catalonia in 2012.

#CANADA: Judge Suspends Montreal City Council's Pit Bull Ban During Challenge

[world politics news]

The city of Montreal passed a controversial ban on the pit bull breed last week, but a judge has ruled that it should be suspended for the duration of the Montreal SPCA's legal challenge, which could take months, say legal analysts. The ruling prompted outrage from the breeds fans and defenders throughout the world.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Montreal City Council Bans The Pitbull Breed

[world politics news]

In a decision that has caused reactions far beyond its city limits, Montreal city councilors have voted to ban pit bulls. Thirty-seven councilors approved the amendments to the city's animal control bylaw, with 23 voting against the measure. Proponents, including Mayor Denis Coderre, said it was a "balanced approach between placing reasonable restrictions on current owners, and keeping citizens safe."

#CANADA: Animal Welfare Bill A "Trojan Horse" To Curtail Hunting, Say Critics

[world politics news]

A private member's bill seeking to modernize Canada's animal welfare laws is coming under fire for the bill's potential to dramatically change how hunters, anglers and farmers operate. But the bill, drafted by Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith from Toronto, could do more than ban shark fin imports as well end the sale and trade of cat and dog fur, claim critics.