The future program of the animal justice party of Finland
Transition politics that take all species into account and a shift in moral values
Introduction
The future of today
The understanding of a need for a wholesome societal change has become more common. The disposable culture has come to an end in the 2010´s. An individual´s potency to change large scale systemic processes with consumer choices and actions are limited. We must quickly think about the big picture: the energy system, traffic and food production. A societal transformation process is in the way and it concerns politics, economics, nature and the relationship of humans with themselves and with animals of other species.
The total stress of all production and consumption must be decreased. The society must be renewed so that emissions and resource usage is lowered to a sustainable level. The lack of knowledge is not the obstacle to many favourable actions and values, but the contradiction between the conscience and actions of individuals and the resistance to change present in all communities and societies. We must admit our co-dependence and vulnerability: the global unawareness of the speed of human development has brought us on the verge of a crisis that threatens the existence of our own species.
A sustainable society values things that aren’t currently taken into consideration in a scale that is necessary: the protection of ecosystems, communality, care-taking and leisure time. Finland has been a welfare society for a long time and it has had all the possibilities to make a large scale societal change. A country like Finland has the potential to reconstruct the society as a whole. The adoption of true sustainability requires cutting production and consumption. The change means that we must change many of our habits, but it is not only an act of relinquishment. It is an ecological and ethical rebuilding mission. We must build a societal and economic system that is based on moderation and moral action.
Renouncing the necessity for continuous economic growth changes our whole value system. The pursuit of human well-being is dematerialized, the value of life grows and the society becomes more resilient. The understanding of tomorrow´s threats and possibilities, of jobs that are independent of the fossil fuel economy, the recognition of the necessity to develop oneself at all ages and the capability to fulfil one´s basic needs with as few resources as possible are the essence of the process. Pleasure is not derived from consumption anymore but from things that do not burden the environment or abuse animals. The increase in leisure time enables taking better care of self and loved ones, the sustaining of relationships, hobbies, voluntary work and other meaningful activities. Instead of basing our wealth on commodities we can fulfil our potentials, educate and nourish ourselves and live long and healthy lives in accordance to the Earht´s limited resources. We see that the reconstruction of society requires the mobilization of the capabilities of different people, strengthening their involvement and the unlearning of old habits. Individuals, communities and societies alike need to adapt, renew and redirect.
In our vision democracy is seen as a use of power where individuals are actively forming decisions that affect their lives. The justification for the use of power is its construction from bottom up, and all forms of local democracy, such as citizen councils have been established as supporting structures to decision-making. By concentrating in care-giving, local communities and meaningful skills and jobs lead to resilience that is needed in the time of climate change, natural disasters and epidemics. Local democracy increases social interaction and the citizen´s skills of democratic decision-making.
The need for change is urgent.
Background of the envisioning work and the guide to reading this program
This future program is a product of the Animal Justice Party´s program group and it was writted during the years between parliamentary and municipal elections. It is not an official program accepted by the official party congress. The future program continues the line of work that was started in the principal program, societal program and municipal and parliamentary election programs. It looks into the future. We have set the year 2050 as a target.
The future program does not assert that Finland will look like this in 2050. The purpose of the program is to strengthen the prerequisites of understanding contemporary events and offer alternate paths of development, which are all possible. The vision of future may seem more or less likely. We have selected a positive but realistic perspective. Our vision is deep green, and it is mostly focused on the protection of nature, food production and change in our relationship with animals.
With this vision we want to take part in the discussion about our common future and bring about hope in the future. The future does not just happen by itself, we all make it happen. The vision is a tool to direct action and politics to achieve long term goals. It does not respond to all global challenges that are to be expected during the coming decades.
The future of our societies is inevitably shadowed by insecurity. There are indefinite amounts of variables and there are no courses of action that will surely work. It is not essential to get the year right but to sketch out the necessary and desirable courses of change. It requires pondering our conceptions about humans, animals and nature. We think that both humans and members of other species need our imagination in this time.
We have used among others the following sources in making this future program:
BIOS research unit: bios.fi/
Kaihovaara, Riikka: Riippumaton puutarha – Teollisen ruoantuotannon romahdus ja permakultturin perusteet
Kohtuusliikkeen visio: https://kohtuusliike.fi/kohtuusliikkeen-nakemys-paremmasta-tulevaisuudes-ta-aineellinen-tuotanto-ja-kulutus-vahenevat-ja-huomio-kaannetaan-hyvinvoinnin-perustaan/
Korhonen, J. M. (CC BY 4.0) (mm. https://jmkorhonen.fi/2019/10/03/jos-vaikka-haluaisimme-pelastaa-maailman/ )
Elonkehä magazine
The Animal Justice Party of Finland´s Grounding program, Societal program and Parliamental election program
Keski-Suomen skenaariot 2050: https://keskisuomi.info/wp-content/uplo-ads/2018/06/Keski-Suomen-skenaarioiden-kuvaukset_nettiversio.pdf
Salonen, Arto O. https://www.aalto.fi/fi/uutiset/kaikkea-muuta-kuin-tavallinen-kasvihuone?fbclid=IwAR0o1p2KBGJJsMx2WAapXoF3ZE6yy2Df2vQfGN_JODF5GHeFvvGO370BRl8
Liikkumisen tulevaisuus 2050 – Hyvinvointia kaupunkiliikenteestä: https://skol.tek-nologiateollisuus.fi/sites/skol/files/kaupunkiliikenteen_visio_2050_final.pdf
In 2020 the program group has assembled 14 times. The members were Tiina Ollila (chairperson of the program group), Matilda Aaltonen, Jaakko Perttunen and Jonna Railio. In addition to them we would like to thank all the people that have taken part in the program group during these years and to the editing of this program.
The cessation of continuous growth
The direction of work, economy and energy production
The vision for the future of the Animal Justice Party of Finland includes the idea of the necessity of the cessation of continuous economic growth. We must move from growth politics to transition politics that aim at ecological and ethical rebuilding. We need to understand that technology will not solve environmental programs. We need a healthier and more democratic society that is built on the fact that we are part of nature. By quitting the burning of fossil fuels and comparable energy sources, such as peat, will stop the growth of the global economy. The society has less energy to use than before, which is a result of building new infrastructure and simultaneously cutting down emissions and resource use. In general energy is produced, needed and used less than before, and the use of resources is brought down to a sustainable level. Our economic system works based on the needs of humans and other beings of life. The constitution has been changed so that the rights it guarantees are considered to include the future generations too.
The pursuit of continuous economic growth is not a factor that defines economic politics, but the principal of the economy is to be ecologically and socially sustainable. The defining point is not the quantity of economic activity but the content of it. The economic policy is guided by concrete social and material goals. The justification of it is the enabling of equal conditions of life to all, while the greenhouse gas emissions and resource usage have been dropped to a sustainable level. Currents of financing have been redirected from excess construction and military production to rebuilding, increasing biodiversity and other work that is commonly deemed valuable.
Material consumption will not end in the future, for we need materials and energy to live. Almost all material used in production is recycled or recyclable. Goods are produced in significantly reduced amounts and they are made more durable and easily repairable. GDP as a meter for economy and development has been waived in most countries. Income and wealth disparities have been levelled considerably. International economy has been made more just by forgoing the debts of poorer countries, by changing to an internationally binding minimum wage and by ending tax havens. The co-use of means of production and leasing services has become more common. The detriments to humans, animals and the environment have been added to the prices of commodities and services, making less harmful products cheaper for the consumer.
The established principals of economy are not comparable to laws of nature, but more like value judgements; alternative ways of working can be found. Societal entrepreneurship is the new norm. It aims at producing common good by ways of business. Instead of maximizing profit it aims to solve a societal problem and aspires to function in a socially, ecologically and ethically sound way.
In 2020´s the state-driven mobilisation of ecological rebuilding has produced completely new export leads. Finland is one of the world´s leading powers in producing renewable energy. Energy production is mainly based on renewable energy sources, namely wind, solar and geothermal energy. Capturing and utilizing waste energy is considered self-evident. Energy is still produced with nuclear fission, but it´s share in energy production is diminishing and no new plants are being built. The energy production system that was based on fossil fuels was decommissioned from the 2020´s onwards. Fossil fuels were abolished completely during the next decades by help of new innovations in energy production, transfer and storage. In addition to a centralized energy production energy is produced and stored locally by means of solar panels and batteries placed on premises. Solar and other renewable energy is produced in public and commercial building as well as in private homes. Houses produce their energy partially by themselves. In building wind power stations to marine locations the needs of inhabiting animals such as birds, fish and seabed organisms have been taken into consideration. The electricity grids maintained by co-ops and organizations are not necessarily connected to the national grid.
Working life is guided by sustainability, meaningfulness, necessity and liberty. The role of work as the primary identity defining factor has diminished considerably. The amount of work has been reduced by means of technological progress and political guidance. Artificial intelligence is applied in many ways and it has developed quickly. New technologies have created new tasks. The working practices of remote work have been established. Work is carbon neutral or carbon negative. Alongside with the technological progress the demand and appreciation of crafts have increased. Income differences between occupations and genders have diminished. Decreasing the time that is spent on human labour is seen as a political ideal and work takes much less of people´s time. Self-sufficiency and exchange economies are common and considered acceptable ways to organize working.
Basic income has been in use in Finland since the 2020´s as is common around the world. It has enabled flexible transitions in all ages between different phases of life: wage labour, entrepreneurship, studying, child caring and leisure activities. People have a lot of free time that is used in self-actualization, learning new things and getting experiences. Work is considered an asset that enables one´s own well-being and advances both individuals and the society, – not a mandatory burden. More people work in arts and culture and service industries. Increased free time has grown the popularity of voluntary work.
The society has systematically focused resources to minimize labour that is not considered meaningful but is seen necessary. Nobody is forced to do work that is not wanted and it is always possible to refuse work without the fear of sanctions. Work has been democratized so that workers have more power over their own work, which has increased workers´ well-being and productivity. Workers choosing their own instructors and recycling responsibilities are common practices in work places. In many companies the majority of leaders consist of company workers. The establishment of worker owned co-ops has been facilitated.
Protecting nature
revival of biodiversity
All subsidies that are harmful to the nature were removed during the 2020´s. Meanwhile new subsidies that improve biodiversity in nature were implemented to the agricultural and forestry industries. Effects to the biodiversity and animals were selected as one criteria of public expenditure. Next the principal of ecological compensation was implemented. If the diminishing of living habitats cannot be avoided, losses must be compensated by restoring weakened habitats elsewhere. The living conditions and living spaces of animals are taken into account in the damage assessments, including hampered nesting, noise and light pollution. Ecological compensation is strictly defined and supervised so that it truly neutralizes and compensates the inflicted damages. The compensation must be greater than the damage, although the compensation cannot be fully calculated, as the human capability to assess the relationships and networks of other species is flawed.
In order to save pollinating insects in the 2020´s pollinator politics was implemented both in municipal and national level. Biodynamic farming was increased, border zones and protective zones were established, flowering trees were planted and funding of pollinator research was increased. Municipalities charted areas where reaping could be eased. Roadsides were widened, not only because of pollinating insects but also for other animals and to increase biodiversity in general.
The importance of periphery to the wholesome life experience has been acknowledged and it is implemented by leaving zones unattended in urban areas and is seen in the popularity of urban exploration as a hobby. Old trees and buildings are being protected. Fields and grasslands that have been excluded from food production have been left to proliferate. The eutrophication of lakes and Baltic Sea coasts has been stopped and the health of water bodies has improved. Water is clearer and there is plenty of oxygen in the seabed too. Polluted land-areas have been cleaned, which has improved the health of the groundwater. Mining is heavily reduced and regulated. The recycling of metals and minerals is optimized and replacing materials are being sought. Renouncing economic growth, decreasing consumption and building more durable equipment has led to the decrease of the use of mining products. Producers are obligated to cleaning up their waste waters, taking care of waste management and coming up with a plan to recondition sites and to funding the reconditioning after mining activity has seized. The snow gathered from streets is not dumped into water bodies, which has led to fewer waste collecting in them.
The use of chemical compounds is strictly regulated. Microplastics are considered especially harmful and they are banned completely after replacing natural materials have come to the market. Reduction in plastic use has led to less trash in the environment. Cigarette butts are reduced in nature as smoking has decreased. Criteria concerning waste water purity are tightened not only in terms of phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter, but also more and more chemicals each year. The effects of chemicals such as pet anthelmintics in the environment and wild animals is closely studied and followed before the chemicals can be sold. Legislation concerning crimes against natural protection areas is tightened.
Finland´s UNESCO world heritage sites are still protected. The amount of natural protection zones has been increased steadily with the aims of increasing biodiversity, stopping the extinction wave of species and maintaining carbon binding natural habitats. Because of global warming binding carbon to the earth and woodlands and the increasing of diversity was seen as inevitable development. In forestry the focus has been moved from clearcutting to the continuous growth method. The forest is preserved as continuously growing, not only because of carbon binding but also for other species. Over half of Finland´s species live in forests. Transformation to continuous growth of forests required the state´s incentive program and retraining of forestry professionals. In forestry industry the focus shifted to long-lasting, highly processed products. The amount of rotten wood was allowed to increase significantly in 2020´s which lead to the reviving of hundreds of species. In 2050 half of Finland´s area is protected and majority of it is forests and swamps, but water bodies too. In addition to national parks preservation networks are formed of natural parks, wilderness areas and preservation zones founded by municipalities, companies and private people.
Changes in culture
a vital and meaningful life
The society and individuals have a more sustainable and vital future that is free of the meat norm. Post-material values have become the mainstream. The change has been fast and it has been hastened by a common desire to live differently and to learn new things. The state has offered free education for all, and it has advanced the processing of the changes in working life and culture in general. Support networks have been built to help cope with climate anxiety and people in general look after each other.
The shortening of working time, the easing of stress, the increasing of free time and changes in values and attitudes all support a healthier lifestyle. People have the time to think about what they enjoy in life. They are healthier and enjoy different forms of exercise and leisure that are offered abundantly. Municipalities have invested on premises and locations where people exercise and try out new sports with a smaller threshold and free of charge. Municipalities offer spaces and buildings that facilitate voluntary learning, repairing objects, sharing knowledge, skills and objects and communality. Former shopping centres have been transformed into citizen´s spaces and service centres.
Healthcare focuses on wholesome wellbeing and illness prevention instead of alleviating symptoms. Respect of one´s elf-determination is the premise of social and health services. Social and health services are accessible to all and the number of workers per customer has grown. Well-equipped social and health services protect the human rights of those who need special support and are especially vulnerable. Physical inviolability and defining one´s own identity is everybody´s protected right. Euthanasia is legalized in most countries, also in Finland. Contraception is free of charge for all. Permanent lodging is guaranteed for everyone. Apartment lending is regulated and high rents are prevented with rent price regulations. Inequality has been thwarted and the society is steady and peaceful.
Substance use and the problems that are connected to it on personal and societal levels have diminished. Substance use has been decriminalized and this has lowered the threshold of treatments, and lessened substance related crimes and deaths. The sell and use of intoxicants has been limited with the use of independent research results concerning their health and environmental effects. The cultivation of intoxicant plants has been rendered unprofitable by changes in taxation and agricultural policies, which has liberated fields to the cultivation of nutritional plants. Alcohol and tobacco taxation has been tightened and their consumption has been limited, which has led to diminishing consumption. Especially the decrease of alcohol consumption has had a positive effect in the reduction of illnesses, mental health problems, violence and marginalization. The resources of the health care system have been vacated to other purposes.
Social and cultural life takes more time and significance in people´s lives while the pass-time that is spent on activities that consume a lot of energy and materials has reduced significantly. A larger percentage of products sold online are intangible commodities such as entrance tickets, games and entertainment, which do not require storage or transportation. Traveling is still important, but travelling is done on low-emission vehicles such as trains. People travel to take part in communities and pursuits that have been built around shared values and activities. Sharing of spaces and traveling with the pursuit of seeing natural locations and increasing one´s well-being have become more common. The emissions and effects on the environment are compensated. Haste and the feeling of insignificance have eased considerably. People have more time for being together, for art, culture and hobbies.
Finnish families are diverse. Parenting (biological, social and fostering) is supported flexibly and nursing leaves are shared equally. The intertwining of work and family life has been made easier and it is possible irrespective of family structure.
The media is more diverse than in previous decades and people trust it more. The amount of commercials in media space has diminished. Social media platforms have more responsibility over the content they deliver. The distribution of untruthful portrayal of animals has been forbidden since 2025. It is not allowed to advertise anything in public spaces.
The respect for art and culture has grown and investment in them has paid itself back as increased well-being and sophistication. Cultural services and good-quality art education are available to all. In 2050 art and cultural activities are carbon neutral and sustainable. Art and culture are significant resources in processing emotions and in the creative thinking that is needed in imagining future visions. Finland has adopted the concept of life-long learning. Each citizen may study freely a certain amount of content annually. Education has moved away from degree based structural education to a continuous updating of skills and know-how.
One´s experience of meaningfulness and meaning is constructed in many ways. The significance of religion is diverse and all religions are treated equally in our society. No religious community has a right to tax. All religions are taught equally in schools and in unison with a non-confessing ethical education. Finland is more diverse in cultures and languages. Language studies have been increased and cultural studies are invested in in the comprehensive school. The intertwining of cultures and diversity has created a culturally rich world that values each culture. All cultures acknowledge equality between people and animals of different species. The basis for society´s decision making is in knowledge that is represented understandably.
Food production
From the meat norm to a sustainable plant production
Finland has transformed its agricultural system to a sustainable one. The transformation of food production has been carried out with subsidizing politics, guidance measures, instruction, co-operation and positive examples. New, interesting directions have emerged alongside the adoption to a plant based diet. This is seen in a diverse selection of restaurants as well as in home cooking. Influences to cooking have been received from other cultures, but new and original vegan food cultures have emerged from domestic food heritage and ingredients.
The transformation to a plant based diet has been hastened with a termination subsidy and a loan foregoing-plan aimed at animal producers that agree to end animal production. People that work in primary production are able to influence their own work and production conditions. In food production Finland has become more self-sufficient on a national, regional and communal level. Self-sufficiency applies especially to primary production and production assets – Finland is not dependent for example of imported fodder or foreign labour. Local solutions and food chains provide work and safety also to exceptional circumstances. Plant based protein production is faster and more independent, which has increased logistic security. A transition from monoculture to a more diverse, biodiversity-inducing crop rotation and mixed farming has taken place. There has been a transition from cultivating only a few species to a variety of species and from efficacy thinking to holistic thinking that includes sustainability and ethical evaluation. The condition of the environment has improved and farm productivity has increased.
Primary production is more separated from domestic life and family entrepreneurship than before, which makes co-owned facilities possible and increases producers´ well-being. Previously applied “young farmer´s subsidy” has been changed to “new farmer´s subsidy”. Partnership farming is common. In partnership farming model farmers and consumers establish relationship with each other and commit to co-operation where the farmer produces food for true demands and needs. Part of the food is produced nearer to people in urban farms and partnership farms. All farming follows the principles of wholesome thinking and practices that preserve and increase organic matter in the soil and nature´s biodiversity. These practices include cultivation of perennial plants, flower lanes, mixed farming and rotating crop diversification.
Although climate change has increased the losses of some crops due to varying weather conditions, spoilage and overproduction have been diminished significantly by waiving artificial subsidies and quotas and by proportioning production to the needs. Plant cultivation has been made more profitable and productive by developing smarter and more effective cultivation practices and by breeding cultivars that are more suitable to Finnish climate. Finland exports agricultural methods and know-how. The use of production assets that rely on fossil fuels such as fodder, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals has reduced.
The clearing of peatlands into animal excrement fields has been ended. Nutrient flow in cultivated land has been revived and land fertility is supported by applying rotating crops. Many cultivation methods are used, from mixed farming to vertical farming. Urban and indoor farming as well as public space utilization in cultivation is supported. Farming methods have been altered to store carbon. Collecting plants are cultivated in addition to crop plants, for collecting nutrient washes and binding carbon into the soil. Hunting and fishing are closely regulated and subject to licence, and they are no longer considered rights. Fish farming and industrial fishing have been ended in inland water bodies and in the Baltic Sea. Because of fishing regulations the populations of seals have been restored. By diminishing food spoilage and animal production money has been saved and the amount of land and water used in food production as well as animal suffering has diminished. Politicians, companies and the civil society have encouraged everyone to reduce leftover food by means of subsidies, acquisitions politics, research and guidance.
Taxation has been altered to favour plant based products: the value added tax of plant based products has been lowered, animal products have been amended with an environmental protection tax and animal productions have been amended with a “death multiplier” that the Animal Justice party proposed in its first parliamentary election program. The death multiplier is a gradual tax that is added to the price of the product and is defined according to the suffering caused to the animal and the amount of killed animals. Also the marketing of resources derived from special plants has been developed and incentives to companies to continue refining have been implemented. Greenhouse technologies are well developed: vegetables are grown economically in closed circuit greenhouses. Production is mainly carbon negative. Useful plants are being grown in parks and green spaces. Large parts of land that were used for animal production have been reforested.
Bioreactors are used to produce foodstuffs that are not plant products. Artificial meat is produced in industrial scale and no other animal ingredients are used in addition to stem cells. The Animal Justice party does not support the production of artificial meat because of low efficiency. Subsidies and resources are aimed at developing edible plants and fungi instead.
Cities and traffic
A sustainable and free-flowing life
Most of the population lives in cities. Urbanization has accelerated and the population has gathered in even fewer big cities, especially to the capital, Pirkanmaa and Turku regions. The amount of green space has grown and cities include parts that are in natural and unadulterated state for the benefit of nature itself, animals and people. Ecological corridors are plentiful and the negative effects to biodiversity caused by building traffic ways and buildings have been reduced. Green spaces, green walls, green courtyards and urban farming have been integrated to city planning to benefit human health. Urban and space planning takes people´s rights to unobstructed environments and services into consideration. City air is cleaner because of traffic electrification and increased remote work.
Instead of new buildings the restoration and alteration of existing buildings is favoured. When this is not possible, new buildings are built on mostly zones that have buildings already. No new natural habitats are being cleared in order to build new buildings. Construction is done with low emission methods and the life spans of new buildings are long. Because of attitude changes and economic guidance people strive to moderation in their living standards so no energy wasting buildings are built. The principles of ecological architecture are implemented in all new construction. Wooden structures are favoured.
Emission reductions have required changes to moving habits and to the whole transit system. Transit is more flexible and emission free than before. Finnish needs for mobility are met with a smaller amount of vehicles. Moose and deer accidents have reduced because of adequate over- and underpasses, dense urban structures, self-guiding vehicles and predator politics.
Electric cars and buses are commonplace. Internal city traffic is mainly powered by self or electricity. Shared cars and bicycles and electric bicycles are in use. The need for heavy traffic and private cars is diminished among other factors due of urbanization, development of public transportation and local production. Cities are not built in terms of car traffic and forests and other vegetation is no longer cleared because of traffic. The co-use of transportation vehicles and renting services are common. Car co-sharing enables the use of cars to new user groups. Public transport makes it possible to use transit time to working, studying, entertainment and rest. In bigger cities public transportation is free of charge. Private transportation is reduced in central areas of big cities.
Plans to reduce artificial light were begun in the 2020’s in order to fix the disturbances in light-dark – rhythms in both human and other animals. The environmental problems caused by light pollution to plants, insects and other animals were taken seriously. The first steps were to ban outside lighting of advertisements and shops, display windows and offices. The next step was to dismantle the harmful lights of park areas and traffic ways.
The increase in cultural and exercise activities has enlivened smaller towns. Communal living is more common and village-like communities have formed with the support of increased local production and small scale energy production solutions. The principal of modesty guides the admission of building permits of residence and business premises.
Flight tax has been used for several decades. Finland has independently limited flying already in the 2020´s by ending domestic flights. Flying is internationally regulated. Airplanes use electricity and renewable fuels. Traffic is safer and traffic accidents are more seldom. Finland´s rail network is developed and one can get to Europe by train from both Tallinn and Stockholm.
Change in relationship to animals
decoupling from speciesism
The attitudes towards animals of other species and political and moral values have changed quickly towards the acknowledgement of the uniqueness of animal individuals and the intrinsic value of life. Speciesism is acknowledged and its oppressing practises have been abandoned. The sphere of equity has expanded. Human beings do not see themselves as a contrast to the otherness of animals. The differences between species are understood as tones; we are all animals. The acknowledgement of our own animalhood and the appreciation of corporeality have increased human well-being and the experience of life force. The distinction between humans and other animals does not determine moral understanding. Animals of other species are not treated as objects, property or resource anymore. The dismantling of the structures of speciesist oppression is systematic, and species-independent equality is actively pursued. Species does not determine the value of an individual´s life anymore.
The understanding of the life and needs of animals has changed considerably because of animal studies. We know a lot about animals´ cognitive abilities and experiences, and this knowledge is used to deliver a meaningful and safe life to animals. The needs of animals that are dependent of human care and animal companions that are kept as pets are taken into consideration in all matters that regard them.
Animal protection, animal rights and
focus is on the animal
Legislation considering animals has changed and tightened. Finland has founded a ministry of animal affairs and a committee on animal affairs. Matters concerning animals have been moved from the ministry of agriculture and forestry to the new ministry. All animals have constitutionally protected rights and inherent value. The animals that are dependent of human care have the right to live according to their special and individual needs. Animals have the right to be protected from mental and physical suffering and the right to feel and express positive feelings.
Animals are litigant subjects that have to be taken into consideration in decision making. Animals are represented by legal (human) representatives that have to be heard in an official matters and have the right to arbitration on behalf of an animal. This has turned around people´s attitudes towards animals of other species – animal appreciation has increased, treatment has improved and the appreciation of species has grown.
Animal testing has been mainly abolished because of technological advancement and scientific development and the rise of animal rights. In the end of 2020´s a plan and timetable for making science without animal testing was set and it sped up the development and implementation of methods. Research that is free of animal testing took leaps in the 2030´s. Alternative methods, the education of scientists and increasing funding to animal testing work decreased the amount of animal testing radically. The result was science that was better suited for human biology. Animal testing is limited to similar tests that are done with human subjects. Finland is one of the top nations in alternative methods to animal testing.
The commercial production of animals has been ended as unethical and ecologically unsustainable because of changing attitudes and the collapse of the demand for animal products. Recreational activities that oppress animals of other species, such as circus activities and pony riding in mass events have been ended. Former zoos are hospitals to natural animals and safe houses. They temporarily maintain species that can be returned to nature later. Animal sanctuaries are more abundant than in the beginning of the century. Species that were used to be kept as production animals still exist in small numbers. These animals are able to live species specific and full lives in human care. Some of the animals are kept in animal assisted therapy work and taking care of cultural landscapes.
Before animals were granted basic rights, several animal representative offices were established. The Animal Justice Party proposed in 2020 that there should be more than one office. Tasks were separated to offices concerning production animals and test-subject animals and to the well-being of pets and natural animals. The title of animal protection agent was changed to gender equal and its job description was expanded to cover other than protection measures by changing the title to agent of animal matters. In mid-2020´s fur farming, export and sale were prohibited and the regulation concerning pig and cow treatment was tightened. Farrow cages were banned and pigsty area requirements per pig were increased so much that pigs had to get out for walking. Tying cows to beams was banned and all cows were offered a year-round possibility to get out. Broiler production was banned completely in the 2030´s. An animal crime unit was founded in all police precincts. A national animal emergency number was established. Animal husbandry bans were expanded to cover all animal species and an official was obligated to oversee them.
Finland´s predator politics changed to emphasize protection as natural zones increased and predators became more appreciated. Even before that endangeredness was taken literally and individuals of endangered species could not be hunted anymore. Predators were seen as important parts of the ecosystem and the increase in natural habitats quickly produced results in for example the reduction of wolf encounters. The reimbursement of damages caused by wolves was ended in alignment with the running down of animal production – while the business activities concerning animal production diminished, the related conflicts ended. The illegal hunting of wolves was ended with effective supervision that was funded with the funds that were previously used for predator compensation reimbursements. Wild animals have the right to live freely and in their natural habitats and receive care and treatment.
Animals kept as pets
care, companionship and responsibilities
The adding of animal rights to the constitution and the acknowledgement of the animal´s intrinsic value has collapsed the amount of animals that are kept as pets and improved significantly their appreciation and treatment. A positive list of animals that are accepted as pets has been composed. It is entirely forbidden to keep most animal species as pets. The keeping of pets is not considered everyone´s basic right, but it requires a provable familiarization and a licence to take care of animals. The amount of pets per domicile is limited: every individual must be offered sufficient care, attention and exercise. The sale of animals in pet stores is forbidden. Sale is subject to licence and a strictly regulated activity, and is not made for financial profit but cover feeding and caring costs. The sale of unidentifiable pets has ended as it has become illegal.
The requirement of identification marking and the strict standards of pet keeping have made homeless animals rare and there are no wild dogs or cats in Finland. The obligation to announce animal keeping has been extended to cover all owners. Each animal individual is marked for identification to prevent abuse and officials have an access to a comprehensive state run database of identification markings, health care visits and the care takers´ possible previous animal keeping bans and qualifications. Less invasive identification methods of identifying have been adopted (e.g. dna identification). A health care program has been implemented to protect pet well-being and health, and it includes age- and species-specific veterinarian checks and treatments such as vaccinations, dental care, weight monitoring and the evaluation of basic health status.
Breeding animals is licenced and regulated. Artificial methods such as shifting the estrous cycle and artificial insemination are not used. The refinement of animals according to human preferences has been finished. The breeding of the most ailing species such as brachycefalic dogs, cats and rabbits has been ended completely. Breeding is guided by the goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals and their offspring instead of the demands of race organisations. The regulation of breeding is based on the demands of low rate of inbreeding, reducing the number of individual´s offspring, an individual´s health suitable for breeding, liveliness and a plan to relocate offspring to new homes.
The adopting of pets is based on companionship and giving care. Pets are treated like family members and their individual needs are considered. Animal shows are banned. Other hobbies that are harmful to the pet itself or to other animals are banned too. Animals that are kept as pets and their hosts coexist in a mutually meaningful way. People have enough time to their animal companions: for caring, playing, common activities and exercise.
Summary
An ecological and ethical rebuilding requires ability to change. All that has been achieved cannot be maintained. We all must relinquish something, adapt and reform. We believe that humans can achieve a moral and political change. To accomplish new kind of justice thinking means increasing anti-violent stance and the preservation of biodiversity and special diversity. By 2050 a wholesome cultural change has taken place, in where people have become aware of the environmental effects of their actions, beliefs and habits and built a more sustainable value system.
In the vision of the Animal Justice Party Finland has turned away from material pursuits towards new economic, social and ecological goals. Society has recognized factors that force economic growth and dismantled them. Instead of growing the economy the the society aims at growing well-being and meaningfulness of life. Finland has increased reforesting and reduced material consumption in order to end biodiversity loss. The Animal Justice Party is a future oriented party. All political activity is defined by human understanding of itself as a species among others: Finnish society acknowledges animals of other species as inhabitants too. All sentient living beings have the right to their life and freedom, and they are only limited by the same rights of others: species independent justice has been declared desirable.
The protection of nature´s diversity and the restoring of biodiversity are the only ways to preserve life´s vitality for all species and the future generations on Earth. Value changes guarantee a new kind of well-being that is independent of economic growth and it´s transferring from one generation to another; a society is wealthy only if it doesn´t take away the possibility of fulfilling basic needs and performance of other individuals. The achievement of ecological rebuilding requires the dismantling of many old structures and difficult decisions. But they must be done – because of the future.