What's hot and what's not in coalition's plan for animals

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 16:03

The new coalition’s plan for UK government, published on 20 May, offers a mixed bag of proposals in the environment, food and rural affairs portfolio.

The Government says that it will:

• introduce measures to protect wildlife and promote green spaces and wildlife corridors
• introduce a policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis
• promote high standards of farm animal welfare
• end the testing of household products on animals
• work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research
• promote responsible pet ownership by introducing effective codes of practice under the Animal Welfare Act
• ensure that enforcement agencies target irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs
• ensure that food procured by government departments, and eventually the whole public sector, meets British standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall cost.
• oppose the resumption of commercial whaling
• press for a ban on ivory sales
• tackle the smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife through a new Border Police Force
• bring forward a motion on a free vote enabling the House of Commons to express its view on the repeal of the Hunting Act.

Libby Anderson, Advocates for Animals’ policy director, said:

“There are many measures here that we strongly support – such as improving farm animal welfare and a reduction in animal testing.  But what a tragedy to see these sound proposals mixed in with retrograde, non-progressive notions about badger culling and hunting.  We will be asking our supporters to make it clear from the start that we want our wild animals to be protected, rather than needlessly persecuted – and that’s a majority view!”