UK Will Promote the Highest Standards of Animal Welfare, Queen Elizabeth Says

In the Queen's Speech, the government guaranteed "the best level of animal protection" in the UK.

Queen's Speech

The promises ranged from raising zoo standards to requiring mandatory microchipping for cats as part of the party's preparations for the new Parliament.

Three bills will be presented during the next year to address the issues.

No. 10 stated that it aspired to be a "national pioneer" in animal care, setting "high expectations for all to meet" worldwide.

Animal welfare organizations have praised the plans, with the RSPCA claiming that they will make "a real and lasting difference."

However, the charity cautioned the prime minister that the proposals should not be considered "a token gesture."

In a slew of papers following the Queen's Speech, the government goes into greater depth.

Action Plan

It agrees to the following in its Animal Welfare Action Plan:

The Animal Welfare Bill recognizes animal sentience - the ability of animals to have emotions, including pain and distress - in legislation (Sentience).

Ending the sale of live animals for fattening and slaughter, as well as taking "further measures" to restrict the trade in foie gras

As part of its Kept Animals bill, the government is bringing in "more powerful forces" to deal with livestock concerns.

The bill is also being used to prohibit people from owning primates as pets, improve zoo standards, and "crackdown" on puppy smuggling.

Introducing universal cat microchipping and updating existing databases.

"We should no longer disregard the inextricable connection that exists between the way we handle animals, our own welfare, and that of the world," RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said, "but to really achieve a step shift, it will require bravery from right across government."

Animal Welfare Bill

The United Kingdom will mark a major win for animal rights on April 29, 2021. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was passed by the English government after years of active lobbying by our teams and supporters.

The United Kingdom now has a bill that will transform animal rights by raising animal cruelty penalties from six months to five years.

Animal offenders sentenced under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 could face up to five years in jail now that the Bill has passed all levels of the Houses of Parliament and gained Royal Assent.

This guarantees that animals who have been subjected to unconscionable and needless abuse at the hands of humans will now get the punishment they deserve.

Not a Token Gesture

He (Sherwood) also urged Boris Johnson to appoint impartial advisers to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to ensure that it was a "success" rather than a "token gesture."

Global pet charity Blue Cross' Becky Thwaites lauded the commitments as well, praising the crackdown on dog fraud, universal cat microchipping, the prohibition of chimpanzees as pets, and the fight against pet stealing.

She said the charity has long advocated for the problems and was looking forward to partnering with the government to address them.

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