Labour’s plan to protect animals
Here’s another terrific Labour Party policy announcement that seems to have been overlooked by the news media: Animal protection.
The policy was announced by Maria Eagle and runs as follows:
1) Labour will protect the Hunting Act
Ten years ago the Labour Party ended the cruel practice of hunting with dogs, because we believe that causing defenceless animals to suffer in the name of sport has no place in a civilised society. But just as we celebrate the Hunting Act, the Tories plan to repeal it. Only Labour can protect the Hunting Act because Labour is the only major party committed to defending it.
2) Labour will ban wild animals in circuses
Travelling circuses are no place for wild animals. Being moved from place to place in cramped and substandard enclosures, forced training and performance, loud noises and crowds of people are the unavoidable distressing realities for animals in circuses. Despite promising to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, the Tory-led Government has failed to do so. The next Labour government will ban this cruel practice.
3) Labour will end the ineffective and inhumane badger culls
Badger culls are supposed to reduce Bovine TB but experts say the Tories’ culls will make the problem worse. Following repeated failures to meet deadlines and targets, the Tories are effectively pursing an unscientific mass cull with no rigorous monitoring or evaluation. Labour will end this and develop a better plan to eradicate Bovine TB.
4) Labour will improve the protection of dogs and cats
At present we have ineffective regulation, a lack of information for pet owners and a failure to deal with irresponsible and cruel breeding practices. Labour will review the inadequate regulations on the sale and breeding of dogs and cats and develop a new strategy to improve their welfare.
5) Labour will tackle wildlife crime and reduce animal cruelty on shooting estates
More needs to be done to protect animal welfare on shooting estates. The next Labour government will undertake an independent review into the most effective way to end the illegal persecution of birds of prey, such as the hen harrier; prevent non-target animals getting trapped in snares; and ensure the humane treatment of game birds.
6) Labour will lead the fight against global animal cruelty
The humane treatment of animals should be a benchmark for any civilised society. National governments have a duty to work together to prevent cruelty around the world. Labour will push to end all commercial whaling and prevent the poaching and near extinction of endangered species such as elephants, rhinos and tigers.
These are great strides forward for animals.
What are the Tories doing?
Oh yes: Subsidising grouse-shooting.
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Bloody typical take care of the animals before the humans seriously needing their assistance, I’m as animal friendly as the next, we have two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels and a cat but am I the only one to see the irony in all this, and this is the party mooted to save our country from the Conilition, I swear one is dafter than the next ……
“safeguard the animals but let the humans starve”
You probably are the only one to see any irony in this.
That’s probably because you’re working very hard to see past all the other good policies Labour has announced over the last few weeks.
I doubt that Mike but that’s my opinion, it’s more about the fact they are more interested in animals than us, fine if they weren’t part of the evil that is the UK Gov who has systematically starved it’s people and have equally made their lives a living hell let alone made living in their SH an almost non starter via BT and revised allocation policies/tenancy agreements surely unless all the policies at the top of that list were to solve all the hurt, pain and worry caused by other previous policies .. Peace and out bro :)
Labour has an excellent Human Rights record, and an excellent animal rights record as well.
Generally speaking, it has to come along and clean up the mess made by vindictive Conservative policies.
Re para 5: Will they re-open the enquiry into the shooting of two Hen Harriers at Sandringhham some time ago.
One doubts that they will.
This should appeal to many and is a move in a good direction unlike the vermin we have now.
The Tories are also subsidising gun licenses, too.
I know. Didn’t I do an article about that a while ago?
Like just how a society can be judged by how it cares for its elderly citizens and its children it also goes for animal welfare. We are wardens of the planet and it is beholden on us to treat the planet and its creatures with the respect and dignity that they deserve. This applies to all creatures with the exception of those that can cause harm by spreading disease or harm to humans. I might make an exception for those political animals who use their power to subjugate the masses and cause them suffering.
It’s ok, but humans should come first.
Agree 100% and it’s disabled vulnerable etc should come very high on that list which they most certainly are not at present
Great! Goes some way to make up for Rachel Reeves and people like her. What also ought to happen is to increase fines relating to animal cruelty massively (because they have lost their value over time) and impose custodial prison sentences on the worst offenders. It is nice to see real humanity creeping back into politics. Anything that decreases suffering and pain inflicted on the helpless and voiceless, human or animal, gets two thumbs up from me.
In my opinion a civilisation can be judged based on the way it treats its young, elderly, sick, poor, prisoners and animals. Any nation worth its salt should try to improve the lot of all of these categories of citizen: any nation that does so evolves and becomes better.