Recently, Labour launched a 50-point animal welfare plan, detailing the policies the party would seek to implement if and when it forms a government.
Labour has always been the party that has taken the lead in animal welfare and animal rights issues are important to Labour supporters. So we wanted to remind you that you can currently tell the party how you feel about their animal welfare policy programme.
Have your say on Labour’s animal welfare policies here: http://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/animal-welfare-consultation
Proposed policies include:
· Enshrining the principle of animal sentience in law, ensuring it covers all policy areas to prevent practices that expose animals to cruel and degrading treatment
· Strengthening the Hunting Act to close loopholes that allow illegal hunting
· Consult landlords on giving tenants the default right to keep pets unless there is evidence the animal is causing a nuisance
· Mandatory labelling of domestic and imported meat, including country of origin, method of production and slaughter (stun or non-stun)
· Establishing an independent zoo inspectorate to draw up revised standards of animal welfare
· Total ban on imports of Foie Gras
· Ending the badger cull
· Requiring motorists to report accidents where an animal has been injured
· Banning live exports of animals for slaughter or fattening and introducing mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses
· Designing post-Brexit farm subsidies to move away from intensive factory farming and bad environmental practices
· Prohibiting the third party sale of puppies and tackling puppy smuggling by reintroducing rabies testing before entry into the UK
· Working with organisations like the PDSA to expand accessibility to affordable vet care for pet owners on low incomes
· A comprehensive review of animal testing with a view to improving practice, limiting animal suffering and increasing transparency
· Introducing a ‘blue belt’ to protect and enhance the marine environment around the UK and our overseas territories
As mentioned, the party currently has an open consultation on animal welfare issues and is seeking your ideas ‘to help shape our thinking’.
This is also a great opportunity for members to get involved in animal welfare policy, so if you have areas of interest or further suggestions then please contribute here: http://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/animal-welfare-consultation
We expect the consultation to be open until May.
