Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023
The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 is a UK legislation that prohibits the sale and advertising of activities abroad which involve low standards of welfare for animals.[1] This Act was enacted on 18th September 2023.[1]
The Act makes it illegal to offer or sell an opportunity to observe or participate in an activity that involves animals and takes place outside the UK if it is of a kind that has been specified by the government.[2] The government can only specify an activity if it believes that it causes poor living conditions or treatment for the animals involved.[2]
The Act covers activities where animals are subject to unnecessary suffering or are kept in confinement, for example, their use in tourist entertainment.[3] It also allows the government to bring forward a ban on the advertising and sale of specific unethical activities abroad where animals are kept in captivity or confinement, subjected to cruel and brutal training methods, forced to take selfies or are ridden, drugged and de-clawed.[4]
This legislation was introduced by Angela Richardson MP and Lord Black of Brentwood, and it was supported by the government.[5]
Penalties
A person who commits an offence under the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 is liable to the following penalties:
- On summary conviction in England and Wales, the person is liable to a fine.[6]
- On summary conviction in Northern Ireland, the person is liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale[6]. The specific amount of the fine can vary depending on the circumstances of the offence and the decision of the court.[6]
The maximum fine for breaking the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 is not explicitly stated in the Act itself. The Act states that a person who commits an offence under this Act is liable to a fine on summary conviction.[1] The specific amount of the fine can vary depending on the circumstances of the offence and the decision of the court.[1] In England and Wales, there is generally no upper limit on a fine imposed on summary conviction.[1] In Northern Ireland, the fine should not exceed level 5 on the standard scale.[1]
Affect on UK citizens
The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 prohibits the sale and advertising of activities abroad which involve low standards of welfare for animals. This means that UK citizens who travel abroad will not be able to buy or book any right to observe or participate in such activities from any business in the UK. They will also not see any advertisements that promote such activities in the UK. Some examples of low-welfare animal activities are those that involve keeping an animal in captivity or confinement, subjecting it to cruel and brutal training methods, forcing it to take selfies or are ridden, drugged and de-clawed. The Act aims to protect vulnerable animals from being exploited as tourist experiences and to encourage holidaymakers to make informed choices that do not encourage poor animal welfare practices.[4]
External links
- Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 Legislation.gov.uk
- ANIMALS (LOW-WELFARE ACTIVITIES ABROAD) BILL
- Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill debates Parallel Parliament
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 uk.gov
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 simplegov.uk
- ↑ Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill HL Bill 122 of 2022–23 House of Lords
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Press release: Legislation to clamp down on cruel animal experiences abroad gov.uk
- ↑ Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 Parliamentary Bills
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 legislation.gov.uk