Memorandum submitted by the Union of Country
Sports Workers
The Union of Country Sports Workers (UCSW) is
a listed trade union representing those employed in field sports
and their ancillary trades. The UCSW did previously respond to
Defra's consultation paper on a possible animal welfare bill and
is pleased to be asked to submit evidence on the draft Bill.
The Union of Country Sports Workers did feel
the Protection of Animals Act 1911 should be updated to address
modern day animal welfare needs.
POINTS OF
CONCERN ABOUT
THE DRAFT
ANIMAL WELFARE
BILL
1. The UCSW hopes that, if an Animal Welfare
Bill is passed, it will be enforced on a national rather than
a regional basis. Members have found that discrepancies have arisen
between different regions of the country as to how the law is
interpreted on other animal welfare matters.
2. Many members of the UCSW make their living
looking after animals: they do not feel that it is in their interest
to be cruel to them.
3. The definition of cruelty itself can
be problematical. Someone who is very experienced with the handling,
rearing and training of animals can, through their actions, to
someone with less or little experience, appear to be being cruel
to an animal, when in fact they are not. The UCSW is concerned
that this problem might increase with the introduction of a new
animal welfare bill, particularly if the inspectors appointed
by local authorities do not have sufficient experience and consequently
totally innocent persons may end up being needlessly prosecuted.
4. The UCSW is also concerned about the
care of the animals that may be removed from premises. What constitutes
a "place of safety" particularly if long term care is
considered necessary?
5. Many UCSW members have expressed concern
over the way animal sanctuaries and animal charities, including
the RSPCA, treat animals. Who are the RSPCA answerable to?
6. If a new Animal Welfare Bill does come
before Parliament it must be one based on animal welfare, NOT
animal rights.
SPECIFIC POINTS
RAISED BY
THE DRAFT
BILL
1. The UCSW does not feel it is necessary
to introduce a Statutory Code of Practice for the Rearing of Game
Birds. At present most if not all comply with the Game Farmer's
Association Code of Practice, which already ensures high standards
of animal welfare.
2. The UCSW is concerned about the cost
to livery yard owners of licensing. Many riding schools downgraded
to livery yards when business rates made continuing unviable.
Licensing costs must be kept to a minimum as further loss of good
livery yards can only be detrimental to the horse industry.
3. The UCSW does believe that certain working
dogs should be exempt from any ban imposed on tail docking. The
UCSW does not think a ban on tail docking of dogs or farm animals
is necessary.
24 August 2004
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