Jordi Casamitjana

Casamitjana was born in Catalonia in 1964 but is a British citizen living in the UK since 1993. He identifies as an ethical vegan.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210723074844/https://www.veganlifemag.com/who-is-jordi-casamitjana Who Is Ethical Vegan Jordi Casamitjana?] In April 2018, he was fired from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) after he disclosed to his colleagues that it was investing in firms related to animal testing. Casamitjana claimed that LACS's decision to fire him was based on his ethical vegan belief.{{Cite news|date=2020-01-02|title=Sacked vegan brings landmark discrimination case|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50969168|access-date=2021-03-24}} LACS said it was because of gross misconduct. He took legal action against LACS, which ended in an out-of-court settlement in his favour.{{Cite news|date=2020-03-02|title=Jordi Casamitjana vegan tribunal a 'victory for animal protection'.|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-51709141|access-date=2021-04-12}} The landmark case confirmed that ethical veganism is protected under the Equality Act 2010 in the UK as a philosophical belief.{{Cite web|title=Ethical Veganism Explained {{!}} Slater + Gordon|url=https://www.slatergordon.co.uk/newsroom/ethical-veganism/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=www.slatergordon.co.uk|language=en}} This was the first time the specific belief of ethical veganism had been legally recognised and protected in any jurisdiction in the world.{{Cite news|date=2020-01-20|title=Tribunal Says Veganism Is Legally a Philosophical Belief|language=en-GB|work=Lawyer-monthly|url=https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2020/01/tribunal-says-veganism-is-legally-a-philosophical-belief/|access-date=2021-04-12}}{{cite journal | pmc=8781699 | date=2022 | last1=Thomas | first1=D. | title=Improving the Law for Animals: A Campaigning Lawyer's Perspective | journal=The Liverpool Law Review | volume=43 | issue=1 | pages=107–121 | doi=10.1007/s10991-022-09293-8 | pmid=35095129 }} He is also the author of the book Ethical Vegan: a Personal and Political Journey to Change the World.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-05|title=Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World|url=https://www.septemberpublishing.org/product/ethical-vegan/|access-date=2021-04-12}}

He was heavily involved with the first successful prosecutions under the Hunting Act 2004 and in the ban on bullfighting in Catalonia.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-10798210 Catalonia's bullfight ban provokes emotional response]

Casamitjana was one of the expert witnesses before several parliaments during the debates that led to the successful passing of animal protection legislation. For instance, on 3 March 2010, he spoke as an ethologist before the Environmental Commission of the Catalan Parliament for the ban of bullfighting in Catalonia.[https://www.parlament.cat/document/intrade/34238 Antecedents parlamentaris del 200-00028/10. VIII legislatura. Compareixences][https://elpais.com/diario/2010/03/04/cultura/1267657202_850215.html Toros en Cataluña: segundo aviso] On 22 October 2014, he spoke before the Commission of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and Environment of the Catalan Parliament for the ban on wild animals in circuses.[https://www.parlament.cat/document/dspcc/56711.pdf Diari de Sessions del Parlament de Catalunya][https://elpais.com/cat/2014/10/22/catalunya/1413971351_231139.html "Per fer cinc minuts d’espectacle, pateixen tota una vida"] On 13 November 2016, he spoke before the Climate Change, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee of the Welsh Assembly for the ban of snares.[https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s56943/30%20November%202016.pdf Cofnod y Trafodion - The Record of Proceedings. Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig - The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee] On 21 May 2019, he spoke before the Public Bills Committee of the UK Parliament for the ban of wild animals in circuses.[https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-05-21/debates/58974712-2ecf-4f50-8343-e20837f23367/WildAnimalsInCircuses(No2)Bill(FirstSitting) Wild Animals in Circuses (No.2) Bill (First sitting)]

Casamitjana also helped to close several zoological collections in the UK as part of his anti-zoo campaigning. For example, Glasgow Zoo,[https://www.scotsman.com/news/did-glasgows-zoo-feed-its-unwanted-pets-to-the-snakes-2466273 TDid Glasgow’s zoo feed its unwanted pets to the snakes?][https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11958366.animal-welfare-group-claims-glasgow-zoo-should-close-because-of-squalor/ Animal welfare group claims Glasgow Zoo should close because of squalor] and several small petty zoos in the Scottish county of Fife.[https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/pets-corner-20-years-ago-this-month-fifes-parks-lost-a-popular-feature-3509872 Pets Corner: 20 years ago this month Fife’s parks lost a popular feature]

Casamitjana has worked as a freelance animal protection consultant,[https://sea-lies.org.uk/suffering-deep-down/ Suffering Deep Down Investigation 2004] undercover investigator{{cite book|author=Jeanette Rowley and Carlo Prisco|title= Law and Veganism. International Perspectives on the Human Right to Freedom of Conscience|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pv1GEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22jordi+casamitjana%22+%22bullfighting%22+%22catalonia%22&pg=PA283|year=2021|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-1-7936-2261-7}} and writer,[https://veganfta.com/author/jordi/ Author: Jordi Casamitjana | Vegan FTA][https://www.buenoyvegano.com/2024/01/23/la-dificil-situacion-de-la-megafauna-en-el-mundo/ La difícil situación de la megafauna en el mundo| Vegan FTA] and as an employee of campaign departments of several animal protection organisations, including the Monkey Sanctuary (Wild Futures),{{Cite news |date=2020-01-03 |title=The ethical vegan who walks instead of taking the bus to avoid squashing insects |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/the-ethical-vegan-who-walks-instead-of-taking-the-bus-to-avoid-squashing-insects/38831913.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} the Born Free Foundation, the League Against Cruel Sports,{{Cite news |date=2020-03-02 |title=Jordi Casamitjana vegan tribunal a 'victory for animal protection'. |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-51709141 |access-date=2024-02-26 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2020-03-02 |title='Ethical vegan' settles tribunal case against charity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/02/ethical-vegan-jordi-casamitjana-settles-tribunal-case-against-charity |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} CAS International,{{Cite web |date=2008-10-11 |title=Bullfighter film Manolete draws animal rights wrath on Penelope Cruz |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3178043/Bullfighter-film-Manolete-draws-animal-rights-wrath-on-Penelope-Cruz.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}} the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW),{{Cite web |title=Do we really need to control foxes in the UK? |url=https://www.discoverwildlife.com/people/do-we-really-need-to-control-foxes-in-the-uk |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=www.discoverwildlife.com |date=September 2015 |language=en}} and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK.[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/london-zoo-defends-its-late-night-parties-amid-protests-from-animal-activists/ London Zoo defends its late-night parties amid protests from animal activists]

• The Demon's Trial (2006)[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7382557-the-demon-s-trial The Demon's Trial]
• Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World (2020)[https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Ethical-Vegan-by-Jordi-Casamitjana/9781912836581 Ethical Vegan A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World]

• Eco-ethological Aspects of Polistes (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in Catalonia (I): Study of the Nest Location of a Semi-urban Population of Polistes dominulus Christ, 1791. Ses.Entom.ICHN-SCL, VI (1989): 87-96'[https://raco.cat/index.php/SessioEnto/article/view/1179 Aspectes ecoetòlogics de les vespes del gènere Polistes de Catalunya (I): Estudi de la nidificació d'una població semiurbana de Polistes Dominulus Christ, 1791 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)]

Ecoethological Aspects of Polistes (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in Catalonia (II): Study of a Population of Polistes omissus Weyrauch 1939, in a Strelitzia reginae plantation. Ses.Entom. ICHN-SCL, VII (1991): 59-65[https://raco.cat/index.php/SessioEnto/article/view/1300 Aspectes ecoetològics de les vespes del gènere polistes de Catalunya (II): Estudi d'una població de polistes omissus Weyrauch, 1939 (Hymenoptera: vespidae) en una plantació de Strelitzia Reginae]

• The vocal repertoire of the Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lagothricha. Bioacoustics, 13 (2002): 1-19[https://www.bioacoustics.info/article/vocal-repertoire-woolly-monkey-lagothrix-lagothricha The vocal repertoire of the Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lagothricha]

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://jordi-casamitjana.animal-protection-consult.com/}}

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Category:1964 births

Category:Activists from Catalonia

Category:Living people

Category:British animal rights activists

Category:British veganism activists

Category:Zoologists

Category:Spanish biologists

Category:British biologist stubs

Category:Biologist stubs

Category:21st-century British zoologists

Category:English-language writers from Catalonia

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