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Government advisor slams inaction over animal welfare
Henry Dimbleby is a non-execuitve board member at Defra.
Henry Dimbleby warns animal welfare could be victim of ‘red tape bonfire’.

Amid mounting concerns that the UK government is deprioritising animal welfare legislation, a UK government advisor is set to warn Prime Minister Liz Truss not to “sacrifice animal welfare on a bonfire of red tape”.

Henry Dimbleby, who is a non-executive board member at Defra, will deliver the warning tonight (19 October) at the RSPCA’s inaugural Wilberforce Lecture in London. 

During his speech, Mr Dimbleby will express concern about the Kept Animals Bill, initially proposed by the previous leadership to ban the live transit of animals and the import of dogs with cropped ears. The bill also addresses the keeping of primates as pets. 

He will add: “This law has been in the making for literally decades. The cruel and unnecessary practice of live animal transport was rightly a manifesto commitment for this government, and it is one they must not renege on. We have a global reputation on animal welfare that has been hard-earned, it would be madness to trash it.”

Mr Dimbleby - who is also the author of the government's independent national food strategy - will stress that as our "understanding of animal sentience grows, it will become harder and harder to justify the relationship we have built with the animal kingdom” - further highlighting the need for government action.”

Echoing Mr Dimbleby's words, RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood warned that animal welfare could be forgotten by the new government.

“We’re deeply concerned that the UK is on the verge of a great animal abandonment scandal," he said. “With plans to ban the import of foie gras and fur already on the scrapheap, we’re growing increasingly concerned about the future of the Government’s Kept Animals Bill. 

“The Bill promised to do so much for animals - but recently, we've seen continued inaction and there's a real concern that the government is now failing to prioritise animals at all. “The consequences of this could be massive - and we share Henry Dimbleby’s concerns that, in her ideological pursuits, animal welfare could be forgotten by this new leadership.”

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.