Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill - Clause 1

Asked the Secretary of State about strengthening the ban on hunting with dogs, a concern for many constituents.

Welcomed the Bill and inquired if the wording should be amended to include positive opportunities for considering sentience issues. Also praised the A Better Deal for Animals coalition.

Confirmed that birds are included in the Bill's scope as vertebrates.

Asked about the possibility of judicial review arising from the assessment process.

Agreed that Britain continues to lead the world in animal welfare, and this Bill enhances its role.

Supports the Bill but raises concerns about its implementation. Highlights the need for transparency in public appointments related to animal welfare and criticises the Government's handling of labour shortages affecting farmers. Expresses concern over trade deals, particularly with Australia, allowing lower standards. Advocates for improving clause 2 by making it clear that the committee can recommend positive steps to enhance animal welfare.

Mr Clifton-Brown argues against the bill, stating it is unnecessary and concerning due to a lack of definition for sentience. He raises concerns about potential impacts on rural communities, shooting, conservation, and angling activities which are important for the UK economy. He questions the need for legislation when an Animal Welfare Committee already exists, raising concerns over funding, remit, and representation. Additionally, he criticises the absence of a definition for sentience in the bill despite 80% support in consultations for its inclusion.

The SNP broadly welcomes the Bill and recognises its alignment with Scotland’s animal welfare commitments. Deidre Brock emphasises the establishment of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, highlighting its role in evidence-based policymaking. She raises concerns about the membership, resources, structure, and operation of England's Animal Sentience Committee, suggesting that it should avoid being too prescriptive and follow the lead of Scotland’s SAWC. The SNP supports the Bill but calls for stronger provisions on animal cosmetics and scientific procedures to ensure greater transparency in the use of animals for research and military experiments.

[INTERVENTION] Alison Thewliss expresses concern about the MOD's experimentation on primates, citing recent figures that include 56 marmosets being subject to such experiments in 2018.

Mr Djanogly is against the Bill, arguing that it lacks a clear purpose and definition of animal sentience. He mentions that the committee proposed by the bill will face challenges in defining animal welfare measures without specific guidelines, leading to potential misuse or legal scrutiny. Additionally, he expresses concerns about indirect attacks on religious practices like shechita and halal due to the Bill's lack of exemptions for cultural traditions and religious rights. Mr Djanogly also highlights that the committee’s findings could compel legislative changes, which should be debated by elected representatives rather than a statutory committee. Furthermore, he predicts the bill will complicate rural activities, add legal complexities, and increase costs.

Mr Pollard argues for removing the word 'adverse' from clause 2(2), setting a clear timetable for applying the Bill to non-departmental public bodies, ensuring proper enforcement mechanisms, and maintaining transparency in committee membership. He also expresses concerns about the independence of the Animal Sentience Committee and calls for a legal duty on Departments to co-operate with it.

Critiques the Bill as unnecessary and potentially harmful, questioning its clarity and purpose. Expresses concern over the lack of definitions for sentience and fears that the committee could be hijacked to attack rural activities like shooting and fishing.

Supports the Bill, acknowledging it as a long-awaited measure. Criticises previous delays by the Government but welcomes recognition of decapods and cephalopods as sentient beings. Emphasises the need for further discussion on clause 2 regarding positive effects.

Welcomed Louie French to make her maiden speech.

Expressed full support for the Government on the Bill. Outlined that the Bill builds on the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by recognising sentience in law, requiring the Government to set up an Animal Sentience Committee to examine whether animal welfare has been given due regard in policy decisions. Cited support from animal welfare organisations and residents of Old Bexley and Sidcup. Emphasised the importance of strengthening sentences for pet theft and cruelty towards animals. Recalled the legacy of James Brokenshire, a former MP for the constituency.

Supports recognising animal sentience in law, citing daily constituent contacts on animal welfare. Emphasises scientific research showing animal sentience, inclusion of cephalopods and decapods as sentient beings. Expresses reservations about committee composition and powers, suggesting amendments for improved scrutiny and consideration of policy impacts on animals. Acknowledges concerns over free trade deals and animal standards abroad.

Welcomes the Bill and supports animal sentience recognition in UK legislation, including cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans. Recommends defining 'sentience' to include feelings of pain and pleasure. Advocates for an independent Animal Sentience Committee with expertise and power. Suggests looking at both adverse and positive effects on animals in policy making. Urges the Government to address issues like pet theft, closing loopholes in food procurement standards, and ensuring fair trade deals that uphold high animal welfare standards.

Tim Farron supports the Bill but criticises it for not addressing trade deals with countries that have lower animal welfare standards, such as Australia. He argues that the Animal Sentience Committee will lack power to ensure these deals do not undermine UK's animal welfare commitments. Farron acknowledges the importance of recognising sentience and supporting high animal welfare standards, but expresses concern over how trade deals impact domestic farmers.

Intervened to disagree with Tim Farron's sweeping statement about Australian farmers' animal husbandry standards, drawing on his experience as a vet working in Australia. He asserts that many farmers there farm to the highest standards.

Welcomed the Government's commitment to animal welfare, supporting the recognition of animals as sentient beings. Cited his personal experience with pet ownership and public opinion driving the Bill forward. Emphasised the importance of scientific research in advancing animal welfare protections. Supported the inclusion of decapods and cephalopods under the legislation based on research from LSE. Praised the work of the sentience committee, asserting its advisory nature without legislative authority.

Constituent Bill Wiggin argued that the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill is unnecessary and creates an open goal for preventing planning applications, potentially delaying critical infrastructure projects. He highlighted concerns about the establishment of a new quango to consider animal sentience in policy decisions, which could hinder house building efforts particularly in areas with high conservation value. Additionally, he expressed worries that the committee's oversight could undermine the rural economy and farming practices without providing tangible benefits.

Asked Bill Wiggin about whether he would recommend pegging basic payments at their current level until the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is available for every farmer, indicating that the transition from basic payments to ELMS could be a threat.

Agreed with Bill Wiggin's concerns, highlighting that the work of the Animal Sentience Committee will be retrospective and could enable lobbying groups to push for policy changes, putting the Government in a difficult position.

Praises the Government for its progress on animal welfare, including tougher sentences for animal cruelty offences and bans on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens. Supports the inclusion of decapod crustaceans and cephalopods within the scope of the Bill due to scientific evidence proving they can feel pain. Welcomes the establishment of an Animal Sentience Committee but suggests it should have operational freedom to consider positive steps for animal wellbeing, including a dedicated budget and expertise from veterinary and animal welfare sectors.

The MP supports the bill, welcoming it as an opportunity to strengthen animal welfare legislation. She raises concerns about the need for a clear strategy for proactively engaging with sentience issues across Whitehall and highlights the importance of ensuring that Ministers take action based on reports from the Animal Sentience Committee.

Emphasises the need for a well-structured advisory committee with practical animal welfare experience, an independent chair, proper resources, and transparency in advising the Government. He calls for a workable system to ensure effective animal welfare processes.

Suggests that parliamentary moments are needed for discussing findings from reports generated by the Animal Sentience Committee, rather than having them buried in the House of Commons Library.

Requests assurances that the composition of the committee will take into account rural and agricultural interests, highlighting the importance of including such perspectives.

Inquires about the use of testing on primates, raising concerns that need to be addressed regarding animal welfare in scientific research.