Jan 25th, 2018
Animal welfare
By Becca McCarthy
The law that protects animals is changing because of Brexit. And right now, it could go either way. [1] Powerful fox-hunting and factory farm lobbyists could push to water them down. [2] Or massive public pressure could make animal welfare laws stronger than ever.
The government can’t afford to deal with an angry public backlash on animal rights. [3] So they’re asking for advice on what should happen in a huge public consultation. That’s where you come in!
If the government sees tens of thousands of us telling them how much we care about protecting animals, we can push them to make the UK’s animal rights the best in the world.
It’ll need each of us reading this email to take a quick survey to tell the government what we think. It takes about 3 minutes to take the survey.
Animal welfare rules protect animals from cruelty and abuse. Without them, animals would have no protection from people who want to hurt them. And there would be no consequences for abuse. [4] Britain would be a bleak place to live if we didn’t protect the most vulnerable.
Right now our law stops certain types of animal cruelty. [5] But Brexit could be an opportunity to make our laws even stronger. [6] Let’s show the government that after Brexit, we want Britain to treat animals with the decency they deserve.
Notes:
[1] League Against Cruel Sports: Sentencing and Sentience in new Animal Welfare Bill:
https://www.league.org.uk/news/sentencing-and-sentience-in-new-animal-welfare-bill
Gov.UK: Draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill 2017:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-animal-welfare-sentencing-and-recognition-of-sentience-bill-2017
[2] World Animal Protection:Dairy farming in the UK:
https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/campaigns/animals-farming/dairy-farming-in-uk
[3] The Telegraph: Michael Gove says Brexit means higher animal welfare standards as he drafts bill enshrining animal sentience into UK law:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/12/michael-gove-says-brexit-means-higher-animal-welfare-standards/
The 38 Degrees petition on animal sentience got over 350,000 signatures and played a part in pushing the government to take this issue seriously:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/repeal-the-decision-to-exclude-animal-sentience-from-the-eu-withdrawal-bill
Now they’ve committed to introduce this new law that recognises animal sentience:
The Guardian: Gove says UK law will specifically recognise animal sentience:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/uk-law-will-specifically-recognise-animal-sentience-michael-gove
[4] The BBC: Animal welfare law in the UK:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/overview/latest.shtml
[5] The Huffington Post: Does The UK Have The Highest Welfare Standards?:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/does-the-uk-have-the-highest-welfare-standards_uk_5a573c55e4b024fa0543b6e1
[6] The BBC: Brexit: UK sets out plans to replace all EU laws:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39439554
The Ecologist: Animal charities call on Theresa May’s government to ‘put words into action’ on post-Brexit animal welfare:
https://theecologist.org/2018/jan/17/animal-charities-call-theresa-mays-government-put-words-action-post-brexit-animal
The Daily Mail: Put animal sentience law into Brexit legislation, Green MP tells ministers:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5275733/Put-animal-sentience-law-Brexit-legislation-Green-MP-tells-ministers.html#ixzz54WqFrzoQ
The Independent: Crying elephants and giggling rats – animals have feelings too:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/animal-sentience-emotions-elephants-cry-grieve-loss-sheep-monkeys-science-chimps-a8153446.html
