Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleA Bill to make provision about the welfare of certain kept animals that are in, imported into, or exported from Great Britain.
Introduced byGeorge Eustice (Commons)
Status: Not passed
History of passage through Parliament

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was a proposed act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom relating to animal welfare and the export of certain animals. The Bill was sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Bill would have specifically prohibited the export of animals for slaughter or fattening for future slaughter.[1]

The government promised that the Bill would create "the world's strongest" protections for kept animals and livestock.[2]

Other provisions included outlawing the import of dogs with "cropped" ears.[3][4]

Legislative history

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was introduced by George Eustice, to the House of Commons and received its first reading on 8 June 2021.[5]

Abandonment

On 25 May 2023, the government announced the Bill was being scrapped, and the proposed measures contained within it would be enacted separately by other means.[6] The Bill formally fell on 8 June 2023, two years after being introduced, as per House of Commons Standing Orders.[7]

The restrictions on keeping primates in England and the ban on exporting livestock for slaughter from Great Britain were subsequently enacted by The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 and the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024, respectively.

See also

References

  1. ^ "ANIMAL WELFARE (KEPT ANIMALS) BILL EXPLANATORY NOTES" (PDF). House of Commons. 8 June 2021. p. 26. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Crackdown on livestock worrying welcomed, but live export ban prompts concern". Farmers Guide. 9 June 2021. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  3. ^ "New law proposed to help try and stop puppy smuggling". BBC News. 8 June 2021. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  4. ^ "RSPCA welcomes landmark bill which will end live exports after 50-year campaign and tackle cruel puppy imports". RSPCA. 7 June 2021. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  5. ^ House of Commons - Hansard - Presentation of Bill 2021-06-08 Parliament.uk
  6. ^ "Ministers scrap animal welfare bill designed to protect pets, livestock and wild animals". ITV News. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, Latest news". UK Parliament. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.