Rules to tackle puppy smuggling, make keeping primates as pets illegal and ban imports of hunting trophies are part of a new push to protect animals, ministers said.
The Government is introducing a new law to recognise animals are sentient beings – which have feelings such as pleasure, pain and fear – as it sets out an action plan to help domesticated and wild creatures in the UK and abroad.
The action plan for animal welfare includes stopping ads in the UK for things such as elephant rides abroad and exploring a ban on foie gras.
Announcing the plan at a trip to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the UK was a nation of animal lovers, and the new measures would build on existing high standards.
The Animal Sentience Bill will be introduced to Parliament on Thursday, which officials said would put animal welfare at the heart of Government policy decision making, and further legislation will follow.
Animal welfare campaigners welcomed the moves in the action plan, and urged the Government to make it “just the beginning” of an evolving, holistic animal health and welfare strategy.
It aims to protect wild animals by making it illegal to keep primates as pets, introducing new laws to crack down on illegal hare coursing, supporting legislation to restrict the use of glue traps, and funding wildlife conservation projects at home and abroad.
Measures to protect animals abroad include banning the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals, and the sale of ivory by implementing the Ivory Act this year, and prohibiting the import and export of detached shark fins to protect sharks.
Officials also said the Government would explore a ban on the sale of foie gras, and would work with the devolved administrations to ban advertisements across the UK for “unacceptable” low-welfare animal practices abroad, such as elephant rides.
There are also plans to give the police more powers to protect farm animals from dangerous or out of control dogs, examining the use of cages for poultry and farrowing crates for pigs and improving animal welfare at slaughter.
The action plan confirms moves to incentivise farmers to improve animal health and welfare as part of the farming policy being drawn up now the UK is no longer part of the EU.
Launching the plan, Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We are a nation of animal lovers and were the first country in the world to pass animal welfare laws.
“We will lead on the protection of animals abroad by implementing the world’s toughest ivory ban and banning the import of hunting trophies to protect iconic species.”
Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, said: “These announcements will make a real and lasting difference to animals’ welfare, so we’re pleased the Government is committed to improving animals’ lives in the UK and abroad.
“We can no longer ignore the inextricable link that exists between the way we treat animals, our own health and that of the planet – but to really achieve a step change, it will take courage from right across Government.
Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society International/UK, said: “Britain prides itself as a nation of animal lovers and animals suffering both here and overseas for food, fur, entertainment, the pet trade and more deserve this proactive agenda.
“Delivering on the plan will require understanding and real commitment from across Whitehall.
“Respect for animal welfare is not only the right thing to do for animals, it will also play a critical role in tackling global environmental and public health challenges such as climate change, antibiotic resistance and pandemic prevention,” she added.
