Overview

This bill aims to prevent the sale and advertisement within the UK of activities taking place abroad that involve low animal welfare standards. It does this by making it an offence to sell or advertise such activities, allowing for penalties and enforcement by relevant authorities.

Description

The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill makes it illegal to sell or offer for sale within the UK, any right to observe or participate in activities abroad deemed to involve low animal welfare. This includes advertising these activities. "Low welfare" is defined as activities that would be illegal under UK animal welfare legislation if they occurred in the UK. The Secretary of State and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) will specify which activities meet this criteria through regulations. These regulations require parliamentary approval. The bill outlines enforcement procedures, including monetary penalties for offenders, with varying penalty amounts in England and Northern Ireland. Local weights and measures authorities (England) and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) are given enforcement powers, utilizing investigatory powers laid out in the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The bill provides for appeals against penalties and specifies how penalty proceeds will be handled.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly state the cost of implementing it. However, government spending will likely increase to cover the costs of enforcement by the relevant authorities, including investigation and processing of penalties. The bill specifies that proceeds from penalties will be paid into the Consolidated Fund (or Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland), potentially offsetting some costs but likely not all.

Groups Affected

• Businesses: Businesses selling or advertising activities abroad involving low animal welfare could face fines.
• Individuals: Individuals participating in or advertising such activities could face fines.
• Local Weights and Measures Authorities (England) and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland): These bodies will have increased responsibilities in enforcing the bill.
• Animals: The bill aims to improve the welfare of animals involved in activities overseas.
• Consumers: Consumers interested in such activities will no longer be able to legally access them through UK businesses.

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