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 creates offenses for selling or advertising such activities and allows for monetary penalties to be imposed.

Description

The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill makes it illegal to sell or advertise, within the UK, any right to observe or participate in activities abroad that involve low animal welfare. This includes:

Sale of Activities

It is an offense to sell, offer, or arrange the sale of participation in or observation of activities abroad involving animals kept in conditions or treated in ways that would be illegal under UK animal welfare laws. The specific descriptions of activities that constitute an offence will be defined in regulations created by the appropriate national authority (the Secretary of State for England and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, or the Secretary of State with their consent, for Northern Ireland).

Advertising of Activities

The bill also prohibits publishing, causing the publication of, printing, or distributing advertisements that promote such activities within the UK. There are some exceptions regarding advertisements in publications printed outside the UK whose principal market is outside the UK.

Enforcement

Enforcement will be carried out by local weights and measures authorities in England and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. The bill introduces monetary penalties for offenses, with the possibility of appeals. The level of fine will vary depending on the jurisdiction.

Monetary Penalties

Monetary penalties will be imposed for breaches of the act. These penalties can be challenged through an appeals process. The collected sums are paid into the Consolidated Fund, after deduction of investigation and imposition costs.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to increase government spending associated with enforcement and investigation of offenses, however, exact figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

This legislation impacts several groups:

• Tour operators and businesses: Those selling or advertising trips involving activities that may be considered low welfare will be directly affected and face penalties if found in violation.
• Individuals: Individuals who sell or advertise such activities will also be subject to penalties.
• Enforcement agencies: Local weights and measures authorities in England and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland will have increased responsibilities related to enforcement.
• Animals: The bill intends to protect animals from activities involving low-welfare standards.

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