Stephen McPartland MP welcomes proposed new bill to enhance animal welfare standards
Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, has welcomed a draft bill that will ensure animal abusers are jailed for up to 5 years and animal sentience is reflected in domestic law.
Stephen McPartland MP said, "We are a nation of animal lovers and we all know that animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering. It is important we are write this principle into domestic law and ensure that we protect their welfare. Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail. I will ensure we deliver enhanced animal welfare standards as we leave the EU and welcome this new draft bill, which builds on major policy announcements, such as introducing CCTV in all slaughterhouses and ending the ivory trade."
The Government has published a draft bill for consultation which would increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales. The draft bill also sets out that the government must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy. The plans underline the Government’s commitment to raising animal welfare standards, ensuring there will be enhanced protections for animals as the UK leaves the EU.
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