Government and Administration
Vote Cruelty Free believes that increased animal protection should be an integral part of government policy, at international, national and local level. It is clear that citizens would support the UK Government doing more on this issue.
While there is a Minister with responsibility for Animal Welfare within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, not all animal welfare issues come under this Minister’s jurisdiction. For example, a separate DEFRA Minister holds the marine environment and fisheries portfolio, the policy relating to horse racing is looked after by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport while the whole issue of animal experimentation falls within the remit of the Home Office.
Commitments sought from UK Government:
- Establishment of a National Animal Protection Agency
- The appointment of a Commissioner for Animal Welfare with an overall responsibility for all animal issues.
- Rigorous, enforceable and co-rdinated UK legislative standards for all animals
- The UK Government to lead calls for a Universal Declaration for the Protection of Animals under the auspices of the UN
- Animal protection charters for Local Authorities
