Joined-up approach needed to improve animal welfare

MPs and animal charities are looking at how better to enforce welfare law

- BECKY MURRAY

A JOINED-UP approach would improve enforcement of welfare laws, and licensing activity, it is thought.

Representatives of the British Horse Society (BHS), World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA and National Equine Welfare Council, and vets, police and MPs, were at a meeting organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) on 28 March. They discussed improving enforcement, including licensing of animal activities.

It was agreed that law can do little to improve welfare without effective enforcement. The APGAW report identified concerns with enforcement and suggested a new model.