Brexit could make life better for UK pets
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Influential Tories are calling on Theresa May to use hard Brexit to make lives better for the nation’s pets, livestock and wildlife.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has provided Number Ten with a blueprint on how to balance Britain’s departure from the EU with better standards for millions of domestic and wild creatures.
As the Prime Minister was making her landmark speech on Brexit this week, leading MPs and party figures were advising on what departing from the EU will mean for farm animals and pets – and the opportunities it creates to introduce even higher welfare standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation says around 80% of UK animal welfare laws, across 40 separate statutes, originate from Brussels, covering farm livestock, pets, wildlife and research animals.
There are hopes that rather than watering down existing legislation, Brexit will allow for new laws to be introduced providing even greater safeguards and welfare standards.
Sir Roger Gale (pictured), Tory MP for North Thanet and patron of the CAWF, said: “It is a priority that there is not a reduction in animal welfare standards at the expense of a drive for new profitable economic trade deals.
“The CAWF recognises the inevitable questions: what will Brexit mean for animal welfare and the importance of ensuring that laws protecting animals remain as tough, if not tougher, once the UK leaves the EU.
“Animal welfare is an increasing concern among the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.”
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