Responding to the campaign to enshrine Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, the Government has today published a draft Bill, which sets out that the government “must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy”.

The draft Bill goes further than Article 13 as it applies to all areas of government policy, rather than specified areas of policy. If passed, the law would apply to the whole of the UK.

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The new law will ensure animal abusers are jailed for up to 5 years and animal sentience is reflected in domestic law, under plans published by the Environment Secretary today.The draft bill would increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales. Subject to consultation on the draft bill, the government will legislate to deliver both aims.

Responding to Michael Gove’s announcement, British Veterinary Association (BVA) President John Fishwick said:

“Vets have been clear in our calls that the duty on the state to have due regard for animal welfare - as captured in Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty - must be enshrined in UK law. This Bill captures the substantive obligation that Article 13 currently puts on the national government to consider animal welfare, as well as explicitly recognising animals as sentient beings.

“Today’s draft Bill lays out in black and white the Government making good on its promises, to ensure the UK remains a global leader in animal welfare post-Brexit.”

The BVA the national representative body for the veterinary profession has been campaigning on the issue of Article 13. Mr Fishwick added:

“BVA has been at the forefront of this conversation, speaking out for our members on BBC Radio 4’s agenda-setting Today programme, coordinating a 1200-strong Open Letter to the Daily Telegraph with the British Veterinary Nursing Association as well as having behind-the-scenes conversations with MPs and civil servants. This is a real win at national level for the veterinary professions.”

The new law will also increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales.

Subject to consultation on the draft Bill, the Government will legislate to deliver both aims.

RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said:

“This is potentially great news for animals post-Brexit.

“To include the recognition of animal sentience as well as increasing animal cruelty sentencing to 5 years into the new 2018 Animal Welfare Bill is a very bold and welcome move by the government.

“Even better, the legislation explicitly rejects the kind of exemptions for activities the EU deemed acceptable – such ass bull fighting and producing foie gras – which will offer even stronger protection than Article 13 of the EU Treaty could ever do”

Emma Slawinski Compassion in World Farming’s Director of Campaigns said:
 
“Compassion warmly welcomes the Government's response to our supporters and the many others who urged retention of animal sentience in British law. The duty on Government to pay regard to the fact that animals are sentient beings when formulating and implementing policy is an important legal principle and we welcome the announcement that this will continue to be a cornerstone of our animal welfare laws as we leave the EU. This is a victory for Britain's animals and we are delighted that Mr Gove has listened.”