The Animal Law Project (ALP) has launched a new manifesto titled “A Manifesto for Transforming Animal Protection in South Africa: A Constitutional Imperative.” This document represents a significant development in the campaign for reforming animal protection laws in the country.
Developed with contributions from experts, civil society, veterinarians, and government representatives, the manifesto seeks to address major shortcomings in South Africa’s animal protection legislation. The existing legal framework, governed by the Animals Protection Act of 1962, is deemed outdated and inconsistent with contemporary constitutional values.
Despite the Constitutional Court’s 2016 recognition of animal welfare as a constitutional issue, progress has been limited. The manifesto underscores this disconnect, highlighting that while advancements in human rights have been made, animal rights have not received the same focus.
The ALP, which was established in 2022 through a collaboration between Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA), Humane Society International/Africa (HSI/Africa), and the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC), calls for an animal protection system that meets modern ethical standards and aligns with constitutional principles.
A new manifesto highlights widespread animal suffering in South Africa:
- Land Animals: Annually, over 1.1 billion land animals, mostly chickens, face severe conditions, including forced confinement and mutilation during production and slaughter.
- Wild Animals: Wild animals are exploited under the guise of “sustainable use,” resulting in harmful practices like canned hunting and poaching.
- Aquatic Animals: Aquatic animals are treated as commodities, with their deaths counted in bulk rather than recognizing their individual sentience.
- Laboratory Animals: Animals used for testing non-essential products such as cosmetics endure minimal regulatory oversight.
- Companion Animals: Companion animals suffer from neglect, overpopulation, and abuse, with shelters often resorting to mass euthanasia due to limited resources.
The manifesto advocates for comprehensive reforms based on three core principles: constitutional alignment, acknowledgment of animal sentience, and respect for their intrinsic value. It proposes ten guiding principles, including animal well-being, ubuntu, proportionality, and duty of care. A key recommendation is the development of a new Animal Welfare Bill, which the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) is considering.
To further these goals, a recent photographic display has been held in Cape Town and Johannesburg, featuring powerful images that aim to raise awareness and spark public discussion about animal suffering.
