Animal Charity

over 100,000 supporters for a #betterdealforanimals

A huge thank you to everybody who signed the petition calling for animal sentience to be recognised in UK law!

10.9.2019

Last week, we handed in a petition to 10 Downing Street signed by 103,919 people - this sends a clear message that the British public want a #BetterDealForAnimals. We later also attended an event in Westminster with MP’s showing their support for the bill.

Animal Charity

We joined other animal protection groups to hand in over 100,000 signatures!

Animal sentience is currently enshrined in UK law under Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty. This recognises animals as sentient beings, aware of their feelings and emotions, however due to the current political situation, animals are at risk of losing these vital legal protections, after October 31st. 

Starting on Valentine’s Day this year, we joined with other animal protection and environmental organisations - including Wildlife & Countryside LINK, Humane Society International UK and Animal Equality UK – and asked MP’s and the British public to ‘show some love for animals’ by signing the government petition. We urged MP’s to support a law that creates a duty for all Ministers in the UK to fully regard animal welfare in policy making. 

Once a government petition reaches 100,000 signatures, this ensures a debate in parliament. Unfortunately, this debate was originally planned for Monday 9th September but has been postponed until November*. Nevertheless, it was great to hear from Zac Goldsmith MP, minister for animal welfare, at last week’s event that he will do everything he can to get this bill through as soon as there is an opportunity to do so.

Animal Charity

Head of Programmes UK Emily at a parliamentary event gathering MP support for a #BetterDealForAnimals

We will keep you updated on news regarding the sentience bill and the upcoming debate in parliament, which is likely to be around November. In the meantime, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everybody who signed the petition calling for animal sentience to be recognised under UK law. We will keep working to push this through.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP FOR ANIMALS!
  

#FOURPAWSUKblog

* true at the time of writing (10.09.19) although subject to change.

Animal Charity

Jenny Canham

Campaigns Officer

Jenny works in the Campaigns Team at FOUR PAWS UK, and manages the UK farmed animal campaigns Make Food Kinder and Wear it Kind. She has a background in journalism, and has worked across various animal non-profits and grassroots advocacy organisations in the UK and internationally.

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