Government & Legislation
-
Oct- 2019 -31 October
Treasury Committee urges MPs to reform ‘broken’ business rates
The government has been urged to fix the “broken” business rates system as it is continuing to affect high street retailers, a Treasury committee has said. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to property tax, which puts more pressure on high street retailers than…
Read More » -
16 October
BVA welcomes animal sentience legislation proposals in Queen’s Speech
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed proposals set out in the Queen’s Speech that would see animal sentience finally being embedded in UK legislation. The government has pledged that the principle will come into law as part of a package of measures on key animal health and welfare issues.…
Read More » -
Sep- 2019 -11 September
Labour pledges £10 minimum wage for all workers over 16
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged a £10 an hour minimum wage for all workers over 16 if his party is elected to government. In a speech delivered to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton, Corbyn said Labour would also deliver action on the gender pay gap, equal rights for all…
Read More » -
Aug- 2019 -29 August
BVA welcomes renewed calls to enshrine animal sentience in law
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the Labour Party’s renewed drive for animal sentience to be embedded in legislation. As part of its 50-point Animal Welfare Manifesto for Government, Labour is urging the government to embed the principle in law as quickly as possible, to impose a duty on…
Read More » -
Jul- 2019 -31 July
Trade associations call for review of UK animal activities licensing
An investigation into the new Animal Activities Licensing system in England has revealed it has “done little to improve animal welfare” but is tying up businesses in “unnecessary” red tape, according to two trade associations. OATA and REPTA, who issued a Freedom of Information request to more than 300 English…
Read More » -
9 July
PFMA meets with MPs to discuss pet obesity
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) recently held an event at the House of Commons to raise awareness for pet obesity and launch the third edition of its Pet Obesity Report. Guests at the event included representatives from Pets As Therapy (PAT), Therapaws and Hounds for Heroes who provides dogs…
Read More » -
Jun- 2019 -26 June
Gove delivers new bill to give animal abusers tougher sentences
Environment secretary Michael Gove has announced a new bill to enable tougher prison sentences for the worst animal abusers and introduced it to Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 25 June). The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill means that animal abusers could face up to five years in prison, a significant increase from the…
Read More » -
12 June
OATA joins Westminster committee inquiry for invasive species discussion
The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) joined fellow trade associations and other experts on 11 June during a special outreach hearing held in Cambridge by the Environmental Audit Committee as part of its inquiry into the impacts of invasive species and their management. OATA’s assistant chief executive Dr Tracey King…
Read More » -
May- 2019 -28 May
VN removed from register following animal poisoning conviction
The Veterinary Nurse (VN) Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) directed that a Dunbartonshire-based veterinary nurse’s name be removed from the Register of Veterinary Nurses following her conviction in 2017 for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal. In August 2017, Georgina Bretman was convicted…
Read More » -
7 May
HMRC raises millions from tax-dodging puppy farmers
More than £5m has been raised by an HMRC taskforce tackling dishonest dog breeders who were selling pups on the black market. HMRC set up the taskforce in October 2015 after discussions with animal welfare groups suggested tens of thousands of puppies were being reared in unregulated conditions and sold…
Read More »
