Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023

The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill was a Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill) that originated in the House of Commons, Session 2022-23. It was put forward by Angela Richardson and has Government support. The Bill aimed to prohibit the sale, the offering for sale and the advertisement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of low-welfare animal activities which take place abroad.

The bill defines low-welfare animal activities as those that involve keeping an animal in conditions or subjecting it to treatment that would constitute an offence under the appropriate national legislation if it were to take place in the appropriate national authority’s part of the United Kingdom. The appropriate national authority may specify a description of activity in activity regulations only if it considers that an activity of that description involves or is likely to involve keeping the animal in such conditions or subjecting it to such treatment.

According to the Explanatory Notes of the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill, enforcement powers will be given to local weights and measures authorities. The Bill provides for the imposition of monetary penalties by enforcement authorities for offences under the Bill. The enforcement authority may impose a monetary penalty on a person if it is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person has committed an offence under the Bill.

The bill had it's 3rd reading in the House of Lords on 18th September 2023 and was enacted into law.

External links

• ANIMALS (LOW-WELFARE ACTIVITIES ABROAD) BILL
• Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill debates Parallel Parliament