Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Patrons Lady Suzy Gale, Sir Roger Gale MP and Henry Smith MP have written a letter to Ministers George Eustice and Lord Gardiner urging for the Government to include the important recognition of animals as sentient beings in UK law once we leave the EU. Under current European law animals are recognised as sentient beings, acknowledging their ability to suffer, feel pain and experience pleasure.
Lorraine Platt, Co- Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation comments:
“We have written to Ministers on Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Repeal Bill- recognition of animals as sentient beings. The primary purpose of the Repeal Bill is to bring EU Regulations into UK law. A key part of EU law on animal welfare is in the Treaty and Conservative Animal Welfare believe that this must be brought into UK law. We are concerned that Article 13 of the TFEU is not incorporated into UK law by the Repeal Bill.
Article 13 recognises animals as sentient beings and it requires Governments, in formulating and implementing policies on agriculture, fisheries, transport, research and technological development, to pay “full regard to the welfare requirements of animals”. Article 13 is the core requirement on animal welfare in the EU – and hence at this time in UK law.
We urge the Government to bring Article 13 into UK law.
We welcome Michael Gove’s recent encouraging response to the question by Henry Smith MP(our Patron) on this issue .We ask Ministers to confirm whether there will be a Government amendment at Committee Stage to incorporate Article 13 into UK law and that both aspects of Article 13 will be brought into UK law i.e. both the recognition of animals as sentient being and the duty on Government, when formulating and implementing its policies on agriculture, fisheries, transport, research and technological development, to “pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals”
We would be most grateful if Ministers could confirm that Article 13, and the protections and responsibilities within it, will be incorporated into UK Law and how the Government intends to do this.”
Read the letter here: CAWFletteronanimalsentiencefinished
Dear Ministers,
Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Repeal Bill: recognition of animals as sentient beings
The primary purpose of the Repeal Bill is to bring EU Regulations into UK law.
A key part of EU law on animal welfare is in the Treaty and Conservative Animal Welfare believe that this must be brought into UK law.
We are concerned that Article 13 of the TFEU is not incorporated into UK law by the Repeal Bill.
Article 13 recognises animals as sentient beings and it requires Governments, in formulating and implementing policies on agriculture, fisheries, transport, research and technological development, to pay “full regard to the welfare requirements of animals”. Article 13 is the core requirement on animal welfare in the EU – and hence at this time in UK law.
We urge the Government to bring Article 13 into UK law.
This could be done by a Government amendment at Committee stage to the Repeal Bill. Such an amendment could directly incorporate Article 13 into UK law or it could do so by amending the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Alternatively, the Agriculture Bill could bring Article 13 into UK law although the scope of Article 13 goes beyond farm animals.
We would be most grateful if you could confirm that Article 13, and the protections and responsibilities within it, will be incorporated into UK Law and how the Government intends to do this.
Yours sincerely,
Lady Suzy and Sir Roger Gale MP (Patrons)
Henry Smith MP (Patron)
Lorraine and Chris Platt (Co- Founders)
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation
