ANIMAL
WELFARE
IT IS TIME FOR ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS TO BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THE SENTIMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND MOVED FORWARD TO A MORE COMPASSIONATE AGE.
OUR POLICIES — AT A GLANCE
ANIMAL TESTING / VIVISECTION
- A Significant Reduction In The Use Of Animals For Product Testing and Scientific Research (subject to approval in the constitutional referendum).
FARMING / INDUSTRY
- Higher Standards Required In The Farming Sector.
- Only Humane Pest-Control Methods To Be Used.
- Compulsory Humane Slaughter Methods.
- Compulsory Pre-Stunning Before Halal Or Kosher Strangulation.
- Live Animal Exports For Fattening and Slaughter Banned.
- Blanket Bans on Food Imports Produced Using Cruel Methods.
PET SERVICES
- A Publicly-Funded 365/24/7 Unwanted-Pet Collection Service Established.
- A New Nationwide '999' Emergency Vet Service Established.
- A 'Happy Horses' Campaign — A Review Conducted Into Best Stabling Practise.
- Compulsory Dog and Cat Licencing.
'SPORT' / ENTERTAINMENT
- Fox-Hunting Ban Maintained
- All Large Animals In Zoos Released Into New UK Game Reserves
OUR POLICIES
Taking Britain's Animal Welfare Standards To The Next Level
Many have been concerned about UK animal welfare standards for some time, and although there have been welcome improvements in recent years, the treatment of animals within both the industrial, farming and domestic sectors is still a cause for concern. In spite of this, the main parties propose little change in this area. It is surely time for UK animal welfare standards to be brought in line with the sentiments and expectations of the general public and moved forward to a more compassionate age.
ANIMAL TESTING / VIVISECTION
A Significant Reduction In The Use Of Animals For Product Testing and Scientific Research
The extensive use made of animals in product testing and scientific research has been a serious welfare concern for decades — not just to fringe activists, but to a significant proportion of the general public. It is high time this emotive issue was put to the public in a referendum.
We will therefore offer the British people a referendum question proposing a significant reduction in the use of animals in testing and a reduction in the suffering or distress permitted in any testing that continues. At worst, any animal experimentation will only be sanctioned if the tests themselves are genuinely essential, where no more humane alternative exists and subject to the animal experiencing only mild discomfort of limited duration — and even that may be a degree of suffering too far.
Before holding the referendum, the whole area of the use of animals in research and product testing will be reviewed in-depth to determine the real-world viability of alternative non-animal testing methods (such as human cell-based techniques), and any possible implications for product availability and safety.
FARMING / INDUSTRY
Higher Standards Required In The Farming Sector
The financial pressures of market competition are no justification for allowing unnecessary animal suffering to continue. In particular the following practices will be banned :
- the keeping of cows and pigs in cramped sheds for months throughout the winter
- the battery farming and cramped conditions prevalent in the poultry sector — farmers will be required to rear all poultry in a truly free-range environment
In addition, we will commission a thorough review of all current farming practices to see whether improvements are warranted, including a review of river, loch and estuary fish farms to see whether they should be replaced with off-shore deepwater fish farms.
Only Humane Pest-Control Methods To Be Used
The culling of vermin should be done in as humane a way as possible, consistent with it being effective. We will review current professional practise in this area and bring forward legislation to ensure that any suffering to animals is minimised.
Compulsory Humane Slaughter Methods
Predictably, when in the abattoir many animals become distressed when they see and hear animals in front of them being slaughtered. This is completely unacceptable, and all abattoirs will be required to individually separate animals prior to slaughter (one possible implementation would be the stationing of a holding pen 50yds outside the abattoir and feeding the animals in one at a time).
Compulsory Pre-Stunning Before Halal Or Kosher Strangulation
A desire for cultural unity must not be bought at the price of unnecessary suffering for animals. Animal welfare must be moved forward to a more compassionate age not backwards. So, whilst it is important to respect other cultures' wish to have meat sourced in a way consistent with their traditions, strangulation will not be permitted as a means of slaughter without requiring that the animal be completely pre-stunned first — something which many within communities consuming Halal and Kosher products are already willing to accept.
Live Animal Exports For Fattening and Slaughter Banned
As well as a complete ban on this trade from UK shores, small local abattoirs will be allowed to re-open, further reducing the need for travel within the UK prior to slaughter. Both measures will also help to prevent the spread of disease.
Blanket Bans on Food Imports Produced Using Cruel Methods
Notwithstanding WTO rules that prohibit our freedom to set high standards for food production within the UK, a blanket ban will be applied to ALL animal produce that has involved cruelty in rearing or slaughter — e.g. Halal and Kosher products produced without pre-stunning, battery hens, veal, caviar.
PET SERVICES
A Publicly-Funded 365/24/7 Unwanted-Pet Collection Service Established
To prevent the suffering that can arise from casual neglect, a collection-on-demand service for unwanted pets will be established with local anonymous drop-off points set up across the country. The legal loophole in existing legislation which allows people who have been banned from keeping animals to still own a pet if someone else has 'custody' will also be closed.
A New Nationwide '999' Emergency Vet Service Established
Encountering badly injured dogs, cats and birds by the roadside that have been hit by traffic is distressing, and at such times it is often difficult to know what to do for the best to reduce the animal's suffering. It is also difficult to know who to contact to even find out.
This commonplace dilemma, that often results in additional unnecessary suffering for animals, will be addressed by establishing a '999' emergency vet service. As well as receiving immediate expert advice over the phone, the service will arrange for a local vet, RSPCA officer or suitably trained local volunteer to immediately attend the scene and offer assistance.
A 'Happy Horses' Campaign — A Review Conducted Into Best Stabling Practise
The horse is king amongst domesticated beasts and powered much of industry with their physical might before the advent of the steam and petrol engines. They are also very intelligent and naturally sociable animals and seem to thrive and are at their most alert and happy when in contact with other horses or human beings and when regularly engaged in physical tasks.
The private ownership of horses however, has seen countless horses consigned to spending most of everyday alone in a field with only occasional and brief human contact and with no physical task to perform. Many, indeed most, do seem to look miserable and listless most of the time — even if well-fed and with a good shelter.
A review will therefore be conducted to establish a code of best practise in this area. Whilst we do not wish to see private horse ownership abolished, it may be that many isolated horses would be better off stabled in large specialist horse centres, where there will be plenty of other horses and people around with whom they can interact. Such centres would also be a great way for owners to meet other horse-lovers and great places to hold regular exhibitions, gymkhanas, give riding lessons, etc. If the decision is made to make this form of stabling compulsory, then prices will be controlled to ensure that stabling costs remain genuinely affordable to those of average means.
Compulsory Dog and Cat Licencing
To stress the responsibilities involved in keeping a pet, dog and cat licences will be made compulsory. Any pet discovered suffering from obvious ill-treatment would render its owner liable to prosecution. To facilitate obtaining evidence, RSPCA officers will be given increased powers of search and recovery.
'SPORT' / ENTERTAINMENT
Fox-Hunting Ban Maintained
The ban on fox-hunting and hunting with dogs introduced by The Hunting Act 2004 will remain. The legislation will also be reviewed to further tighten any remaining loopholes regarding 'flushing with dogs' etc. to ensure that these cannot credibly be used to flout the law.
All Large Animals In Zoos Released Into New UK Game Reserves
The plight of large animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, bears, that were born to roam far and free, being caged in cramped pens in zoos is now no longer acceptable. At the earliest opportunity, large natural game reserves will therefore be established in several parts of the country enabling Jurassic Park-style viewing of such large and splendid animals in more natural surroundings. In future, we will all have to have to learn to enjoy animals on their terms as well as on our own.