In the last fortnight, the Government has announced three new measures designed to improve animal welfare:
1) a ban on the sale of ivory in the UK;
2) raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from 6 months to 5 years; and
3) a new scheme to reduce plastic waste, which devastates marine wildlife.
I am an animal lover and I support all of these measures as they will ensure that the UK continues to very much be a world leader in matters of animal welfare.
Every year, around 20,000 elephants are slaughtered due to the global demand for ivory and this deplorable trade even threatens elephants with extinction in some African countries.
This Government has stepped up and has taken the decision to ban the sale of ivory in the UK to help bring an end to the horrific poaching of elephants. This ban will have certain sensible exceptions: items which are not deemed to contribute to the poaching of elephants, including musical instruments like old pianos with ivory keys. Many people have been calling for such a ban, including HRH The Prince William who had made combating elephant poaching one of the causes closest to his heart.
Another matter close to the hearts of people in this country is animal cruelty; we are very much a nation of animal lovers and whilst the vast majority of people look after the animals in their care, some people treat animals in a cruel and inhumane way. It is only right that people who commit the most shocking cruelty against animals should face suitably tough punishment – that is why this Government will publish draft legislation for consultation in the next few months to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty tenfold: from a maximum of 6 months imprisonment to a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.
Another key animal welfare issues is that around 8 million tonnes of plastic makes its way into oceans each year – this poses a serious threat to our natural and marine environment. Indeed, it is estimated that plastic is ingested by 31 species of marine mammals and over 100 species of sea birds. In response, the Government has asked bottle companies, retailers, and drink manufacturers how we can reduce plastic waste as well as looking into a how a ‘reward and return scheme’ (whereby a small surcharge paid by consumers is refunded when bottles are returned) would work in this country.
Indeed, the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said in response to these announcements: “it’s been a fortnight of incredible news for animal welfare in the UK.”
We can be proud that in this country, we take very seriously animal welfare and I am pleased that this Government continues to fight for the well-being of animals.