Government is failing on welfare of animals

AFTER making a number of promises that would benefit animal welfare the government is proving to be a big disappointment.

A bill to ban the importation of trophies of endangered animal parts is unlikely to be implemented as a “handful of very wealthy peers” who make up the shooting and hunting lobby want it scrapped.

This follows a change in direction on the proposed ban on the importation of foie gras and fur. Some cabinet ministers opposed this ban as it prevented personal choice.

It is therefore also likely to be dropped. The government’s promise to ban the export of live animals from the UK is now in question as time is running out for it to pass in the current parliamentary session. There has also been no progress on the government’s promise to review farmed animal cages.

To our shame the UK is a major user of animals in research. A system that previously gave animals some protection is being replaced by one that includes fewer monitoring inspections and visits, less focus on animal welfare and consequently a likely drop in welfare standards.

When the UK left the EU, recognition of animal sentience (the ability to feel and experience emotions) was no longer in UK law. All major UK political parties are in favour of legislation to enshrine animal sentience in UK law.

A bill to do this has made progress but it has yet to reach a successful completion.

This government is failing animals by continuing to view them as machines, tools, commodities or resources, here for our use and exploitation.

Elizabeth Allison