By Grimsby MP Lia Nici votes against Animal Welfare Bill
Grimsby MP Lia Nici recently voted against three clauses on a new Animal Welfare Bill which would examine whether “the welfare of animals as sentient beings” is considered in government policy decisions.
The Bill requires the Government to establish an Animal Sentience Committee, which will be able to scrutinise and report on whether the Government is taking into account the adverse effect of any policy “on the welfare of animals as sentient beings”.
The Bill is short, consisting of six clauses split into two sections.
The first covers the ASC and its role. The second section covers transparency, the definition of animal for the purposes of the Bill, and its territorial extent.
Ms Nici voted against three of the clauses on the proposed bill.
Firstly, she voted against clause 1 which “would place a duty on the Secretary of State to produce an animal sentience strategy, and to provide an annual update to Parliament on progress against it.”
Next was clause 3 which states “The Animal Sentience Committee shall produce a report on the use of sentient animals in animal experimentation in government policy. The report shall cover—medical testing, cosmetics testing, and weapons testing.”
Finally, she voted against clause 5 which states “The Animal Sentience Committee shall produce a report on the impact of government policy on river pollution on sentient animals.”
In conclusion, the clauses Ms Nici voted against would hold government policy to account in terms of animal testing, river pollution, and treating animals as sentient beings.
Ms Nici has been contacted for a comment.
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