The International Vegan Rights Alliance (IVRA) has formally been merged to become The Vegan Society's International Rights Network today.
The IVRA has a track record of advocating for vegan rights and by joining forces with them we are hoping the wonderful work of these legal experts can assist even more vegans in protecting their ethical beliefs in law.
Today vegan lawyers and legal experts from around the world are gathering at an annual legal conference to discuss how to influence the law for the benefit of animals and the planet.
The theme of this year’s IVRA Conference - which is held at the University of Milan, Italy from 31 May to 1 June - explores how vegan rights can help bring about a society that respects rather than exploits other animals.
Dr Jeanette Rowley, founder of the IVRA, will talk in her opening speech about using the law within the vegan movement and criticise the recent EU proposals to ban denominations like ‘sausage’ and ‘burger’ from being used for vegan products.
Dr Rowley said: “Veganism in law disrupts the idea of exclusive protective rights only for humans.
“It emphasises our natural capacity to be responsible, dutiful and compassionate in response to vulnerability, injustice, oppression and suffering of animals.
“Promoting veganism in law will help bring about the paradigm shift we need to ensure that animals receive the protection they need and deserve.”
Dr Rowley also runs our rights service which has assisted with cases like helping school children, hospital patients and prisoners access vegan food; securing permissions for students to use vegan-friendly materials in their assessments; and getting workers access to vegan-friendly uniforms.
It is the only such legal service currently being run, which vegans can access for free by emailing knowyourrights[at]vegansociety[dot]com.
We have also just published our vegan rights webpages which have been written by legal experts and can be accessed at www.vegansociety.com/rights.
Louise Davies, Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research at The Vegan Society, said: “We are delighted to be taking on the important work of the IVRA.
“We hope to work with all of the new International Rights Network to lead in advocating for vulnerable vegans and by extension protecting and furthering the rights of animals.”
Conference speakers also include Go Vegan World’s Sandra Higgins whose ‘milk is inhumane’ poster campaign was approved by the Advertising Standards Authority and The Vegan Society’s Mark Banahan talking about their ground-breaking Catering for Everyone campaign for vegan options on public sector menus.
The attendees will hear from vegan experts travelling from England, Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Germany and France, and sharing their experiences with lobbying various governments and getting involved in legal cases relating to veganism.
Conference details can be found on www.theivra.com/conference-2019.html and information on The Vegan Society’s International Rights Network is at www.vegansociety.com/rights.
