The Donkey Sanctuary has welcomed today’s announcement that the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has passed into British law after receiving formal Royal Assent (28 April).
The Animal Welfare Bill recognises that animals are complex living and feeling beings and as a result their welfare must be taken into consideration and protected.
Ian Cawsey, Director of Advocacy & Campaigns at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “This is a great day for animal welfare in the UK. Donkeys and mules are amazing animals and they have the capacity for sensing and feeling, including positive emotions such as joy and happiness, as well as pain and loneliness. Acknowledging sentience means these issues can be part of future developments in animal welfare.
“The Donkey Sanctuary will always advocate for policy and legislation that helps to protect donkeys. This law means we can also build the case for their wellbeing, which is a great opportunity to take animal welfare to a higher level. We look forward to playing our part to ensure this new law leads to better outcomes for donkeys, mules and other animals”.
The Donkey Sanctuary is part of a coalition of over 50 animal protection organisations known as A Better Deal for Animals, which has been working hard to progress the bill and make it a duty for the government to consider animal welfare needs in its decision making.
In the European Union (EU), Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU sets out that Member States should pay full regard to the welfare requirement of animals when formulating policies in certain areas ‘since animals are sentient beings’. However, this principle was not incorporated into UK law following Brexit.
In the UK, once a bill has completed all the parliamentary stages in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it is ready to receive Royal Assent, when the Queen formally agrees to make the bill into an Act of Parliament (law).
The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader for equine welfare, research and veterinary care. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation.
For interviews, images and information please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573124 or 07870 849563 (including out of hours) or send an email.
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world's largest equine welfare charity. Our vision is a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We run 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to more than 7,000 donkeys and mules. Our hospital treats sick donkeys and trains vets both nationwide and worldwide. Our donkey-facilitated learning programme helps vulnerable children and adults develop life skills by connecting with donkeys on an emotional and physical level. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation, and those used in the production of meat and skin.
Please note that the name ‘The Donkey Sanctuary’ should not be abbreviated to ‘Donkey Sanctuary’, and the word ‘The’ should always appear with a capital ‘T’ as above.