Memorandum submitted by the Independent
Bird Register
Having read the consultation document numerous
times we have the following points to raise:
— The draft Animal Welfare Bill is
generally well written.
— There is no mention of the 1981 Wildlife
and Countryside Act—will this still be statute or will the
Animal Welfare Bill be taking its place in any shape or form?
— Who is really going to police the
Bill? There is a continual mention of Inspectors/police constables
but how are these Inspectors/police constables going to be trained
and will they be specialists in this field? Already we have police
and RSPCA who are not completely au fait with the Animal
Welfare Laws—is this not putting a further strain on police
resources?
— Who is going to pay for these specialists?
— Who is going to be the independent
body to ensure that the extra powers that are given are not abused?
It really needs to be totally independent.
3. (4) Who determines the suitable environment
for an animal to live in?
3. (6) What is an acceptable manner
for killing eg mice for a breeder of birds of prey?
44. Are these impartial or are they RSPCA/RSPB
or other? Are they government or local authority based?
— Who are going to be the independent
ombudsmen for policing the inspectors and appointed personnel?
August 2004
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