Calls for change on welfare law as current systems are failing

The Government has been urged to review the enforcement of welfare law as the system is “lacking”.

- By BECKY MURRAY

CALLS have been made for a review of the enforcement of animal welfare legislation – as the current system is “lacking”.

On 24 February the Government's animal sentience committee published an independent report on the “compliance and enforcement” of animal welfare regulations.

It highlighted issues including inconsistencies in monitoring and enforcement, discrepancies in actions taken by different agencies responsible, and in welfare inspector training.

The committee addressed reporting and prosecutions, stating that it was “striking” that in the UK many potential welfare breaches are directed to a charity such as the RSPCA rather than Government - and that any drop in donations could have an effect.

"The RSPCA has indicated a rise in animal welfare offences linked to organised crime, which it feels ill-equipped to take on through private prosecution; this would suggest a need for the state to take a greater role to protect animal welfare,” said the committee.

An RSPCA spokesperson told