London, 26th May 2023
Yesterday (Thursday 25th May) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) welcomed the launch of the first-ever Animal Sentience Committee with the appointment of five new members.
The Animal Sentience Committee is an independent body which will support Parliament in providing expert advice on how policies across Government Departments consider and impact upon animal welfare. This forms a key part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act passed in 2022 and delivers on a Conservative Manifesto commitment.
Coinciding with today’s news, the Government is also launching an eight-week public consultation on introducing penalty notices to bolster enforcement for animal health and welfare offences – meaning those who commit offences such as importing illegal animal products could face fines of up to £5,000.
In the Government press release Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said: “In this country, we pride ourselves on our high standards of animal welfare, and we have introduced powerful laws to maintain them.
“We are delivering on our manifesto promises and continue to explore ways to enhance our position as a global leader on animal welfare.”
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “The launch of the Animal Sentience Committee is welcome news. We hope the Committee will act as an effective accountability mechanism by which the protection of animals is effectively safeguarded in future legislation. The recognition of animal sentience under the law honours an important Conservative Manifesto commitment and we thank the Government for delivering this.”
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
