“Now that we have left the EU, the United Kingdom has new freedoms to continue to strengthen animal welfare standards and strengthen its position as a world champion in animal rights,” the government said in a statement.
The administrator presents a plan that, among other things, recognizes that the animals are “sensitive” humans.
“We will guide the protection of animals abroad, enforce the strictest ivory ban in the world and ban hunting trophies to protect endangered species,” said Environment Minister George Eustis.
These include measures to change the rules for importing juveniles, including a ban on keeping monkeys as pets, restricting bird hunting with resin products, or a ban on the sale of ivory and the importation of shark fins.
The government is also exploring the possibility of banning the sale of foie gras, which has been condemned by animal advocates as being produced through “torture”, and plans to ban advertising in the UK to places that respect the welfare of animals such as elephant rides.
It seeks to prevent the theft of pets, as an issue during epidemics, and to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised in future trade negotiations with other countries in London.
“We cannot continue to ignore the inseparable link between the way we treat animals, our own health and the health of the planet,” said Chris Sherwood, managing director of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Animals (RSPCA).
However, Stuart Roberts, vice-president of the National Farmers’ Association, said the government should adhere to its strict rules on farm animals for countries such as Australia, with which there are trade talks in London.
“Raising standards in this country is ridiculous. We seek trade agreements without applying them to countries. It is hypocrisy,” he told the BBC.
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