OLDHAM LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO MAKE UK “A WORLD LEADER IN ANIMAL WELFARE”

Following the Government’s recent refusal to incorporate European law on ‘animal sentience’ into UK law, the Oldham Liberal Democrats are proposing a motion to this week’s meeting of Oldham Council (Wednesday 13 December) calling on the Government to ‘put the necessary legislation where its mouth is’ to make the UK a world leader in animal welfare.

Councillor Julia Turner, who is proposing the motion, explained: “When Parliament debated the EU Withdrawal Bill, the Government voted to reject an amendment proposed by Caroline Lucas MP that would have transferred a European Union Protocol that recognises that animals are sentient, that is they are capable of feeling such emotions as pain and contentment, into UK law. Why does this matter? Because there is a real worry that this may lead to a slide in animal welfare standards and more animals being abused and mistreated.”

Similar concerns have been expressed by the British Veterinary Association, the professional body for practicing veterinarians in the UK.

Councillor Turner also previously brought a motion on the issue of puppy farming to Council which received cross-party support. “People are rightly appalled by the misery, neglect and cruelty inflicted by puppy farmers on the animals they exploit in this abhorrent practice. Council agreed that we needed to take action on this the issue of puppy farming and that the Government needed to also, and we urged members of the public to only buy puppies from reputable dealers. The fear is that such animals may now be further abused if the Government fails to recognise ‘animal sentience’.

“We want the Government to honour its stated commitment for the UK to become a world leader in animal welfare by bringing forward the necessary legislation to make it so. I would particularly like to see new laws to increase the sentence applied to those convicted of abusing animals from the current paltry six months to five years.”

Councillor Chris Gloster is seconding the motion.

The motion reads:

Motion – The Sentience of Animals

This Council notes that:

  • An amendment (New Clause 30) to the EU Withdrawal Bill, proposed by Caroline Lucas MP, was recently defeated by the Government in Parliament. This amendment sought to transfer the EU Protocol on animal sentience set out in Article 13 of Title II of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, so that animals continue to be recognised as sentient beings under domestic law.
  • Widespread concern has been expressed by animal welfare groups, members of parliament and the public that the defeat of this clause will lead to a weakening of the laws protecting animals.
  • Gudrun Ravetz, Senior Vice-President of British Veterinary Association, the professional body for practicing veterinarians in the UK, stated: “Enshrining animal sentience in UK law would have acknowledged that we consider animals as being capable of feelings such as pain and contentment and, so, deserving of consideration and respect. It is a founding principle of animal welfare science, and for the way that we should treat all animals. There is now an urgent need for clarity from Government on how the provisions in Article 13 will be enshrined in UK law to ensure we do not fall short of the high standards we expect as a nation of animal lovers.”
  • In recognition of this concern, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove said in a ministerial statement that: “This Government is committed to the very highest standards of animal welfare. As the Prime Minister has set out, we will make the United Kingdom a world leader in the care and protection of animals.” In his statement, the Minister promises to increase the jail sentence for humans who abuse animals to five years, improve CCTV monitoring in slaughterhouses, and strengthen the ban on the ivory trade and ban micro-beads in products.

This Council:

  • Recognises that animals are sentient beings and deserving of the highest standards of legal protection.
  • Shares the widespread public concern that the defeat of New Clause 30 may represent a threat to the legal protection of animals.
  • Wishes to see this Government live up to its promise to “make the United Kingdom a world leader in the care and protection of animals” by enacting the measures promised by the Environment Secretary as quickly as possible.

Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:

  • The Environment Secretary to express our concern at the defeat of New Clause 30 and to seek reassurance and clarification from the Minister as to when and how the Government intends to honour its promise to be a “world leader” in this field by enacting the alternative and enhancing animal welfare legislation outlined in his Ministerial Statement.
  • Our three local Members of Parliament to seek their support for the Council’s position

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