UK zoo (c) Born Free Foundation
General Election 2017: Born Free Calls On All Candidates To Prioritise Wildlife Protection
7 years ago 
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Political candidates must pledge to protect wild animals and the natural world
The Born Free Foundation has today published its wildlife protection priorities for the 2017 General Election.
While Born Free does not endorse or support any political party, the charity is reminding all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPC) that wildlife protection and animal welfare are hugely important issues for many of their potential constituents, and that these issues should be promoted and addressed by all our elected representatives, regardless of their party affiliations.
Born Free President and Co-Founder, Will Travers OBE, said: “Over the years, the UK has promoted itself as a world leader in terms of wildlife protection and animal welfare. However, with Brexit and a host of other domestic issues dominating this General Election, the plight of wildlife, and the desperate need for us to protect wild animals and natural habitats are in danger of being drowned out. Born Free is calling on all parties and PCCs to remember that our wildlife, both domestically and internationally, is disappearing at an unprecedented rate, that nature is hugely important to us all, and that its protection should be a top priority for any incoming government.”
Born Free has compiled a set of high-level priorities, including to:
- Maintain and improve current EU regulations concerning the protection of nature and animal welfare, as the UK prepares to leave the EU
- Adopt a leading role domestically and internationally in efforts to deal with the illegal trade in wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horn and pangolin scales
- Improve protection for native species including foxes, hares and badgers, against all forms of exploitation and abuse
- Guarantee the highest possible levels of animal welfare for captive wild animals and end certain forms of captive wild animal exploitation, such as circuses
- Introduce wildlife conservation and environmental protection as part of the school curriculum.
Throughout the 2017 Election campaign, Born Free will be urging its followers and supporters to emphasise the importance of wildlife protection to their local candidates.
Born Free’s priorities for wildlife: www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/uk-election/
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