Fifty charities urge government to protect the UK’s animals

Charities urge the government not to waste a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the UK’s animals

The new Act Now for Animals report, the product of a 50-charity coalition, sets out priorities for creating a society that cares for and respects animals. With 40 recommendations, it includes ways to improve equine welfare, as well as that of livestock, wildlife and exotic animals. These include enforcing equine identification, halting live export of equines for slaughter and reviewing firework legislation.

The new Animal Sentience Committee is integral to the paper’s recommendations. The committee needs to be independently chaired, made up of leading experts and genuinely hold ministers to account in order for it to be truly effective in enacting real change.

Nic de Brauwere MRCVS, Chair of the National Equine Welfare Council and Head of Welfare at Redwings said: “We call on the Government to make the most of this opportunity to create a new vision for welfare that really puts the animals at the centre. We want to see a strategy that accounts for more than just their basic needs, but also focuses on those things that can improve their quality of life and wellbeing so they have a positive experience in all their dealings with us.”

Chris Packham added: “The last animal welfare strategy was 17 years ago in 2004 and so much has changed since then. The past two decades have seen an attitudinal change in the public and growing scientific understanding that animals have emotions, feelings and needs and deserve a good life. We must act now for animals and ensure the Government doesn’t squander this opportunity to build a world-leading animal welfare strategy, fit for the 21st century and deserving of this nation of animal lovers.”

Sara Cox, Angela Rippon, Arlene Phillips, Virginia McKenna and Carol Royle have all lent their names and support to the action.

For more information, visit rspca.org.uk