Among the commitments proposed in the lead-up to the general election, improving welfare for wildlife and domestic animals was part of the 2019 Conservative manifesto.
Among the planned legislations, the aim was to protect, improve and enhance animal welfare in the UK. The plans had been seen as a positive step for animal welfare in the country and would have made it one of the strongest in the country.
After going through several stages of legislation, the government withdrew the bill and removed several protections that would have positively impacted animals in the UK. No alternative plans have been proposed.
Opposition parties attempted an attempt to re-introduce the legislation into the political agenda in June; however, it was swiftly rejected by the government.
There hasn’t been, and there has been no explanation why the bill was dropped, but once again, Animals Voice, alongside other animal charities, have been left saddened as wildlife has been left to play second fiddle to politics.
The bill offered a chance for Britain to become a leading voice in global wildlife welfare, showing how other countries could follow their lead.
In today’s challenging landscape for people and wildlife alike, we live in the hope that nature once again gets the attention and focus that they deserve.