Memorandum submitted by William C Bean
MANIFESTO PROMISES
ON ANIMAL
WELFARE
Ever since 1999 many of us have been corresponding
with various Government Ministers in attempts to have them implemented
the first New Labour Manifesto Pledge to give "A New Life
to Animals". They produced a large coloured leaflet detailing
all the wonderful ways in which New Labour would eliminate much
of the legal cruelty allowed in this country.
They have now produced a draft for a new Animal
Welfare Act which still does not address any of the issues contained
in their original manifesto.
Here are the main pledges made in 1999 and never
implemented.
1. Animals in Laboratories: Labour pledged
to support a Royal Commission to review the effectiveness and
justification of animal experiments and to examine alternatives.
(This one move could have meant the end to all animal experiments).
They promised to reduce the numbers used—instead numbers
have increased. Ban the use of wild caught primates and the LD50
test. Stop the issue of licenses for testing cosmetics, alcohol,
tobacco, weapons and their development. To initiate a complete
review of all aspects of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act
1986 and al full ethical and welfare review of the biotechnology
and patenting of animals. To significantly increase the level
of inspection—and require welfare committees in large establishments.
To ensure that all animals tested products are labelled as such.
2. Dogs in society: The compulsory registration
of dogs to provide funding for a warden service. Enforcement and
education measures to tackle irresponsible ownership. To amend
the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to allow each case to be judged on
its merits.
3. Destruction of the habitat: Stop the
privatisation of the Forestry Commission and forced sale of woodlands.
Create new National Parks and Marine Reserves.
4. Captive animals: The Zoo Licensing Act
to apply to all animals used for entertainment. This could have
meant an end to animal circuses and other cruel entertainment
allowed under the Zoo Act. Controls were promised on dealing in
exotic creatures and a ban on the import of wild caught birds.
5. Hunting with Dogs: Labour claims to be
strongly opposed to hunting with dogs yet despite the majority
of MPs and the public calling for an end to this cruel practice—nothing
has been done to ban it.
6. Bullfighting and cruel rituals involving
animals in Europe: Labour claimed to support a ban on all these
cruel practices throughout the EU.
7. Badgers: Labour claimed that they were
opposed to the killing of badgers yet public money is being spent
on the destruction of thousands of these creatures to measure
their guilt in the spread of Bovine TB. Despite many years of
culling and experimenting by previous governments—which
concluded that there was a probability that Badgers and all other
wildlife could pass the infection to cattle and vice versa. Badgers
are a protected species throughout the EU. But despite the Bern
Convention Committee's call to stop the killing—badgers
are still being trapped and shot.
Those of us campaigning for a better deal for
animals spent a great deal of time and resources helping Labour
during the 1999 elections by publicising these promises. We therefore
feel that these pledges appertaining to the UK must be included
in any new animal welfare legislation.
25 August 2004
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