“Keep animal welfare high on the agenda,” Government urged
The Kept Animals Bill would address key animal welfare issues, such as ending the importation of puppies with cropped ears.
British Veterinary Association (BVA) president Malcolm Morley has called on new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to keep animal welfare high on the Government agenda.
It comes amid growing concerns that the UK Government is deprioritising animal welfare legislation. The long-awaited Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, first introduced in the House of Commons in June 2021, has not progressed since the Committee stage in November 2021.
The Kept Animals Bill would address key animal welfare issues, such as placing restrictions on keeping primates as pets and ending the importation of puppies with cropped ears. It also includes other pro-animal welfare measures, such as tackling livestock worrying and dealing with pet theft.
Responding to Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister, Dr Morley said: “Restoring economic stability will clearly be a top priority for Rishi Sunak as he steps into Downing Street as the new Prime Minister. However, it is vital that safeguarding the UK’s global reputation for the highest standards in animal welfare also remains high on the Government’s agenda, particularly as the country continues to navigate the impacts of leaving the EU and looks to build new international trade opportunities.
“It is imperative that the Kept Animals Bill doesn’t falter during this period of transition and continues its journey through Parliament and into law."
On Tuesday (25 October), Prime Minister Sunak appointed former health secretary and deputy prime minister Thérèse Coffey as environment secretary. In a letter to Ms Coffey, Mr Morely reminds the Government of the vital importance of the Bill and urged the Secretary of State to take action:
He said: “This vital Bill will address some of the most pressing animal health and welfare issues of our times. With this in mind, it is essential that it continues to include vital measures, such as those designed to tackle puppy smuggling, prohibit the import of dogs with cropped ears, review zoo standards, impose a ban on keeping primates as pets and introduce mandatory, reliable pre-import testing for dogs with unknown health statuses.
“While we recognise that recent national events have rightly and understandably led to changes in the parliamentary programme in recent weeks, we are urging the Government not to let this important piece of legislation slip through the net as a result. The Bill is a golden opportunity to improve the health and welfare of billions of animals and it must continue its passage into law.”
Additionally, BVA is urging its members and other veterinary professionals to write to their MPs and stress the importance of moving the Bill forward via Parliament. Veterinary professionals can now download a template letter that they can customise and deliver to their MPs.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
