Born Free calls on MPs to support animal welfare abroad
Born Free co-hosts parliamentary event to urge action on implementing ban on advertising activities abroad which exploit wild animals.
L-R: Kirsty Gallacher, Dr Mark Jones, Lord Sandy Trees, Peter Egan
Thousands of wild animals, from iconic species like big cats, elephants and primates, to birds, reptiles and many others, are exploited every day across the world in the tourism industry.
Animals are used for elephant riding, as photo props, in demeaning shows in circuses and dolphinariums, or simply for display at hotels and tourist sites in barren and completely unsuitable captive conditions. Tourists from around the world, including many from the UK, encounter and engage in these activities, often in ignorance of the pain and suffering the animals typically endure.
In September 2023, we celebrated the passing into law of the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act. The Act is designed to ban the advertising and sale in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of activities involving animal exploitation abroad which would not be permitted here in the UK. It was strongly supported by MPs and peers from across the political spectrum during its passage through Parliament, and surveys consistently confirm that it is endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the public.
However, to give effect to the legislation the Secretary of State for Environment is required to issue so-called ‘activity regulations’ which will specify the activities the advertising and sale of which are to be banned. Sadly, despite the efforts of Born Free and others, successive Secretaries of State have thus far failed to table the required regulations.
Today, Wednesday 4th March, Born Free joined colleagues* from a number of partner organisations to host a drop-in event in Westminster for parliamentarians, aimed at making them aware of the situation and securing their commitment to persuade the current Secretary of State to act. The event was also attended by high profile supporters including Born Free patrons Kirsty Gallacher and Peter Egan (pictured above).
We also handed in a letter to 10 Downing Street, urging the Prime Minister to ensure the required regulations are developed and implemented without further delay.
Dr Mark Jones at 10 Downing Street
Speaking after the event, Dr Mark Jones, Born Free’s Head of Policy, said: “The UK Government cannot ban activities involving animal suffering and abuse that take place overseas. However, it can prevent them being actively advertised and sold to tourists here at home when they book their holidays. The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act is designed to do exactly that, and its implementation would go some way towards securing the government’s stated ambition to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare programme in a generation. Now is the time for government to Get Its Act Together, and to table the activity regulations to bring the Act into full effect.”
You can find out more about Born Free’s work on animals used in entertainment here:
If you see wild animals being abused or exploited, please Raise the Red Flag and report it to us:
*Born Free is part of the Low Welfare Act coalition, which comprises numerous leading animal welfare organisations including the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, Marine Connection, PETA, Save the Asian Elephant (STAE), Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), and World Animal Protection, alongside more than 100 organisations and individuals worldwide dedicated to tackling animal exploitation and abuse. Collectively these organisations work all over the world to end the suffering of wild animals exploited for tourist entertainment.