What has happened to the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare?
Email your MP to put animals back on the agenda!
Back in May 2021 we were thrilled to read Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which offered to improve the lives of thousands of companion, wild, and farmed animals. The twenty-page paper proposed to keep up the trajectory of turning the UK into a world leader in animal welfare. Since then, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act increased animal cruelty sentences from six months to five years and we NOW have tougher sentences for animal abusers in the UK.BUT… There was a LOT more in the Action Plan. And what has happened since? Honestly, not a lot.
We were hopeful and, with partner agencies, kept the voice strong for the voiceless animals we fight for.
- We hoped to see legislation tightened to combat puppy smuggling – which would have helped to address the current threat to public health of poor disease control.
- We were waiting for the call to give evidence of the cruel practice of snaring wild animals in the UK.
- We hoped that the government would reform farming methods such as farrowing crates for pigs, something that had great public support.
- We were even waiting to congratulate businesses on the ban on the promotion of events involving captured wild animals – which would have helped to protect both animals and the reputation of UK travel providers.
