Animal Welfare in Focus: Paws, Policy & Protection
The latest issue of The House magazine features a special report uniting the voices of parliamentarians and campaigners in a shared effort to advance animal welfare
The UK has long stood at the forefront of animal welfare, pioneering some of the earliest protections for animals: from founding the world’s first animal welfare charity to introducing the first anti-cruelty legislation. Today, nearly 70 per cent of the public identify as animal lovers and millions of Brits rank protecting animals from cruelty among their top policy priorities. Yet animal welfare was notably absent from the King’s Speech.
Despite this, several bills are currently making their way through Parliament to improve the welfare of animals, reflecting the efforts of campaigners and cross-party MPs. The number of relevant bills currently under consideration show that while animal welfare may not have featured prominently in government priorities, the issue remains firmly on Parliament’s agenda – driven in part by the determination of backbenchers and by public concern.
This supplement brings together the voices of parliamentarians and campaigners, combined in their efforts to improve welfare outcomes for animals. Steve Race MP, sponsor of the Animals in Medical Research (Prohibition) Bill, explores how close we are to ending animal experiments and what stands in the way of a complete ban. Humane World for Animals UK urge the government to take a clear stand against the cruelty of the fur trade by backing the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill. Chair of the Cats APPG, Johanna Baxter MP, calls for the government to end unethical breeding practices and protect feline health.
The chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Alistair Carmichael MP, explains how stronger biosecurity measures can help prevent outbreaks and safeguard the long-term health of UK livestock. The sponsor of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, Danny Chambers MP, hopes his Bill will put an end to unscrupulous breeders and the cruel trade in smuggled pets, with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home supporting the Bill. Sarah Champion MP, chair of the Zoos and Aquariums APPG, highlights how modern zoos and aquariums are working to uphold high standards of animal care while fulfilling their vital roles in education and conservation.
David Bowles, head of public affairs for the RSPCA, emphasises the need to ensure that current legislation is properly enforced to truly safeguard animals. Veterinary surgeon, Neil Hudson MP, reflects on the legacy of the previous Conservative government and highlights the key priorities for the current administration. While Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, considers the forgotten animals of the Hunting Act.
Together, the pages that follow act as a reminder that animal welfare is not a niche concern, but a matter of wide public interest that demands continued parliamentary scrutiny and cross-party collaboration to turn principle into policy.
You can read the full report here.
