New animal welfare committee to scrutinise Government
The independent committee will report on the welfare implications of policy decisions.
The Government has created the UK’s first-ever Animal Sentience Committee to examine the effects that policy decisions have on animal welfare.
The independent committee will have the power to review any policy decision made by a UK Government minister and assess whether they have fully considered the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings.
Ministers will be obliged to respond to reports made by the committee.
To coincide with the launch of the committee on 25 May, the government announced that five experts have been appointment, including veterinary surgeon Richard Cooper and Professor Anna Meredith of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Professor Christine Nicol, Dr Penny Hawkins, and Professor Richard Bennett have also been appointed.
The committee will be chaired by Michael Seals, the former chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.
A manifesto commitment, the committee is being created as part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. The Bill enshrines in law the capability of an animal to perceive or feel things.
Commenting on the appointments, Mr Seals said: “The establishment of the Animal Sentience Committee is an important moment for animal welfare in this country.
“Our five new members will collectively bring a range of varied and valuable experience across veterinary and animal welfare, playing a key role in helping to bring these considerations to the forefront of policy decision making.
“We have bold plans to improve animal health and welfare and I look forward to working closely with the committee to deliver these ambitions.”
Animal welfare organisations have welcomed the launch of the new committee.
Emma Slawinski, RSPCA director of policy, said: “We welcome the announcement of a dedicated committee to report on how any government policy impacts animals as sentient beings; giving a crucial voice to animals.
“The RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index tells us that an overwhelming majority of people want governments to protect animals in law - and this Committee's work will help the UK Government understand the direct and indirect consequences of so many policy decisions on animals.”
Although the formation of the committee has been welcomed, it comes at a time when the Government is being widely criticised for dropping its long-delayed Kept Animals Bill, which was also a manifesto promise.
Ms Slawinski added: “However, while this new Sentience Committee is a big step forward, if this UK Government is really serious about improving animal welfare it needs to break the deadlock and quickly bring back all commitments contained within the Kept Animals Bill.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
