Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 110) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Wright and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely 

‘This Council is disappointed that the Government voted to omit an important clause in EU law relating to animal sentience, as part of the Withdrawal Bill.

This Council is encouraged by the Government's subsequent clarification on its position relating to sentience and its commitment to enshrining higher animal welfare standards into UK law.

However, this Council backs calls from the British Veterinary Association to commit to an appropriate timeframe to reinstate the vital obligation in EU law in Article 13, on the STATE being responsible for animal welfare, in addition to UK law, which states that only the KEEPER of the animal is responsible’.

Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report CSO/18/3 and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:

a) that the Council be recommended to write to the Secretary of State (Michael Gove) stating that it is encouraged by the Government's subsequent clarification on its position relating to sentience and its commitment to enshrining higher animal welfare standards into UK law;

(b) that the Council notes the subsequent publication of the draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill; and

(b) that, as a predominantly rural area where farming and agriculture are of critical importance to the local economy, the Council strongly backs the calls from the British Veterinary Association and others to commit to an appropriate timeframe giving certainty to the reinstatement of the protocol in Article 13; not only recognising animal sentience but also enshrining a duty of responsibility on the state for animal welfare.

Pursuant to County Council Minute 63 of 7 December 2017 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Wright that:

This Council is disappointed that the Government voted to omit an important clause in EU law relating to animal sentience, as part of the Withdrawal Bill.

This Council is encouraged by the Government's subsequent clarification on its position relating to sentience and its commitment to enshrining higher animal welfare standards into UK law.

However, this Council backs calls from the British Veterinary Association to commit to an appropriate timeframe to reinstate the vital obligation in EU law in Article 13, on the STATE being responsible for animal welfare, in addition to UK law, which states that only the KEEPER of the animal is responsible’.

and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 110 of 10 January 2018:

Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor Clatworthy SECONDED that the Cabinet’s amendment be accepted and that spirit of the Notice of Motion be approved and;

 (a) the Council write to the Secretary of State (Michael Gove) stating that it is encouraged by the Government's subsequent clarification on its position relating to sentience and its commitment to enshrining higher animal welfare standards into UK law;

(b) that the subsequent publication of the draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill be noted; and

(b) that, as a predominantly rural area where farming and agriculture are of critical importance to the local economy, the Council strongly backs the calls from the British Veterinary Association and others to commit to an appropriate timeframe giving certainty to the reinstatement of the protocol in Article 13; not only recognising animal sentience but also enshrining a duty of responsibility on the state for animal welfare.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.