16 February 2001

Tories To Define 'Animal Suffering'

The Consevative Party has drafted proposals to strengthen animal cruelty Bills and plan to introduce a law which defines 'suffering' if they are returned to power at the next election. In a press release launching the proposals this week the Conservative party plan to create a new offence prohibiting actions "likely to cause unnecessary suffering" which will include a statutory definition of 'animal suffering'. The proposed Bill would give police new powers to take preventative action before harm is caused to animals. The party also plans to support schemes such as those promoted by the Pet Care Trust to ensure that all pet shops provide qualified staff to oversee the sale of animals. They want to stop the import of certain exotic species and impose restrictions on the UK trade in reptiles. Additionally they will change the law allowing shops to sell pets to children under 16. This is a proposal which was tabled by Tory MP David Amess in November and has now been integrated into this latest plan. The shadow agricultural minister, Tim Yeo, also has plans to implement a working group to look into the need for the licensing and veterinary inspection of animal sanctuaries on the grounds that some under funded sanctuaries put animals in danger of further harm. Circuses are also targetted with plans to impose licensing restrictions similar to those required by zoos and they intend to publish a code of practice establishing standards of animal welfare. Animal Welfare (Scientific Procedures) will be strengthened with the implementation of unannounced inspections of test laboratories. The Bill will not address the question of hunting with dogs. The Telegraph reports Tim Yeo, making the announcement as saying: "Hunting is not on our agenda here. This Bill has been drafted in such a way that hunting cannot be brought into it." Should they be elected it will be interesting to see how such a Bill, which seeks to define 'animal suffering', fares in the commons when it is being promoted by a party whose majority is opposed to the ban on fox hunting. Copyright 2001 Steve O'Malley (UKPets). This article may be reproduced with permission of the author and correct attribution to the source.