North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the publication of a new draft Animal Welfare Bill, designed to enhance the country’s ‘Gold Standard’ wildlife protections.
As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, the Government has made it clear that it will enhance animal welfare legislation.
The issue of animal welfare drew attention during the passage of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill when the Independent newspaper wrongly suggested MPs had voted that animals could not feel pain after voting against an amendment to copy Article 13 into domestic law. This was completely wrong and the newspaper rightly withdrew its original article.
MPs voted against the amendment in order to reject copying EU protocols which currently allow practises including bull-fighting and producing foie gras. The protocols also currently restrict the Government on cracking down on puppy smuggling and banning the practise of exporting live animals for slaughter. Ministers have said that as we leave the EU they will look to outlaw these practices and recent reports have highlighted planned moves to stop the production of foie gras and tackle puppy smuggling.
The Government has now published a new draft Animal Welfare Bill, designed to enhance the country's 'Gold Standard' wildlife protections. The new law will ensure animal sentience is fully reflected in domestic law and animal abusers are jailed for up to 5 years.
Justin has actively campaigned to strengthen the law in both of these areas, raising the concerns of fellow North Swindon directly residents with Ministers about the disgracefully low sentences currently available to those who harm or abuse animals and he is delighted that the Government are taking strong action.
On animal sentience:
- Sentience, the principle that animals can feel pain or emotion, is currently enshrined in law via the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty.
- Under the draft Bill, the sentience of all animals will be recognised explicitly and, crucially, it will reject the kind of exemptions for activities that the European Union shockingly deemed acceptable in Article 13 - such as bull-fighting and producing foie gras (practices which rightly led the Government to reject the amendment).
On increasing sentences for animal cruelty:
- The draft Bill would increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales.
- The plans to increase maximum sentences follow a number of recent shocking cases where courts have said they would have handed down longer sentences had they been available, including a case last year when a man trained dogs to ruthlessly torture other animals, including trapping a fox and a terrier dog in a cage to brutally attack each other.
The changes underline the Government's commitment to raising animal welfare standards, ensuring there will be enhanced protections for animals as we leave the European Union. Subject to a public consultation on the draft bill, the Government will legislate to deliver both aims in the New Year.
The moves have been strongly welcomed by animal welfare groups such as the RSCPA and follows dedicated campaigning from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The draft Bill is part of a wider programme of reform to cement the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare & protecting the natural environment; a programme which have drawn support from across the spectrum and follow on from campaigns that Justin has played an active part in including:
Banning bee-killing pesticides: Earlier in the year, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced that the Government was to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which evidence shows have been killing bees and harming the pollination of crops. Justin worked closely with Friends of the Earth to highlight the harm that was being caused both to the bee population and crops by the chemicals.
Ending the ivory trade: The Government has drawn up plans to ban the ivory trade in the UK. The ban is hoped to have a significant impact on the demand for ivory products and stop the illegal poaching of elephants. The global demand for ivory poses a great threat to the world's elephant population, with around 20,000 elephants slaughtered every year to satisfy the demand. This has been something Justin has campaigned on heavily since his election to parliament, including leading debates and working with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Making it mandatory to have CCTV in slaughterhouses: In August, the Government also introduced legislation to make it mandatory for all slaughterhouses to have CCTV in order to prevent animals being mistreated.
Outlawing plastic microbeads: In July proposals to ban plastic microbeads found in many cosmetic products were announced and the legislation to outlaw their use set was passed by Parliament this week.
All of this was supplemented at the Budget, after the Chancellor and the Environment Secretary announced plans to tackle plastic pollution - an issue which has been brought into the living rooms of millions recently by the horrific scenes played out in David Attenborough's 'Blue Planet 2'. After reducing the use of plastic bags by more than 85% following the introduction of the 5p charge, Ministers are now consulting on measures to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastics - such as coffee cups and food packaging - which pose a threat to the oceans and marine wildlife.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “As an active and passionate champion for animals and our natural environment, I am delighted that the Conservative Government has published yet more plans to ensure we not only maintain but enhance the laws that cover these areas. From banning the trade in ivory and ending the use of bee killing pesticides, to extending our recognition of animal sentience and increasing animal cruelty sentences tenfold, this Government is showing its commitment to wildlife & the environment. I am particularly pleased that once again, Ministers have made important changes to the law on issues which I have actively raised with them on behalf of fellow local residents, and I will continue to push for us to go even further."
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “As we leave the EU we will deliver a Green Brexit, not only maintaining but enhancing animal welfare standards. Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so we are writing that principle into law and ensuring that we protect their welfare. Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail. We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too.”
RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said: “This is potentially great news for animals post-Brexit. Increasing animal cruelty sentences to 5 years into the new 2018 Animal Welfare Bill is a very bold and welcome move by the Government. Even better, the legislation explicitly rejects the kind of exemptions for activities that the European Union deemed acceptable - such as bull-fighting and producing foie gras - which will offer even stronger protection than Article 13 of the EU Treaty could ever do."
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Chief Executive Claire Horton said: “Battersea is greatly encouraged by the Government’s willingness to see sentences for the most shocking cases of animal cruelty increase from six months to five years and today’s Defra announcement takes a significant step in that direction. Battersea is very much at the front line of animal welfare and it’s heart-breaking to see truly shocking cases of animal cruelty and neglect come through our doors, where dogs and cats have clearly had to endure so much suffering. The current maximum cruelty sentence of six months in England and Wales is neither a punishment nor a deterrent but Battersea believes today’s publication of a draft Bill could help to achieve both.”
