Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the (a) display and (b) importation of (i) dolphins, (ii) whales, (iii) porpoises and (iv) other cetaceans.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government considers cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) to be highly intelligent, social animals, with complex needs that are unlikely to be met when removed from their natural marine habitat and kept in captivity.
The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 require high standards for the welfare of kept animals. We consider these protections sufficient to ensure cetaceans are not displayed or otherwise kept in captivity in this country.
We are not aware of any cetaceans being kept in captivity or being displayed but if there was any indication that cetaceans were to be displayed or kept in captivity here again then we would of course consider further actions.
Feb. 21 2024
Source Page: Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill Islands Communities Impact AssessmentFound: Animal Health, Welfare and Genetic Resources The powers to provide support for the purposes set out
Correspondence Feb. 20 2024
Committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (Department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)Found: Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2006/2522 18/09/2023 15 Marine
Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans, through Good Food Nation or other legislation, strategies or policies, to (a) prioritise Scottish farmers and (b) specify that no publicly procured meat or eggs should come from animals that have been caged.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
The Scottish Government’s draft national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes which indicate key areas to further develop our status as a Good Food Nation. These Outcomes have been developed with regard to a range of issues and principles set out in the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022, including the role of the food system in improving animal welfare and the importance of recognising all parts of the supply chain. The consultation on the draft national Good Food Nation Plan launched on 24 January and closes on 22 April ( https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/national-good-food-nation-plan/ ).
We are aiming to increase the consumption, production, and provision of local food. The Scottish Government is using its legislation and policies to maximise the impact procurement can have for public bodies, suppliers and local suppliers and the Scottish economy. To promote local and sustainable produce public bodies have the flexibility to:
The Scottish Government is committed to continuous improvement in animal welfare: a statutory review into animal welfare legislation is due to be published in 2025. In 2023 there was a Programme for Government commitment to consult on phasing out cage production for laying hens and gamebirds: this will be published in due course.
Feb. 14 2024
Source Page: Asulox advice from Health and Safety Executive: EIR releaseFound: (Annex F - Impacts on Human and Animal Health and Habitat).
Feb. 02 2024
Source Page: Building a New Scotland papers: downloadable versionsFound: of marine plants and animals of global significance, including seabirds, freshwater pearl mussels and
Mentions:
1: Neale Hanvey (Alba - Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) Whether he is taking steps to improve animal welfare standards applicable to food imports and exports - Speech Link
2: Steve Barclay (Con - North East Cambridgeshire) We are committed to maintaining high animal welfare and food standards. - Speech Link
3: Neale Hanvey (Alba - Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Australia has lower welfare - Speech Link
Jan. 31 2024
Source Page: Local Food for Everyone: Our JourneyFound: More and more people want to know where their food has come from : who made it , how our animals are
Jan. 31 2024
Source Page: Public Consultation: Scottish National Adaptation Plan (2024 – 2029)Found: Marine Plan 2, marine protected areas and a marine restoration plan
Jan. 31 2024
Source Page: The Environment Strategy for Scotland. Delivering the Environment Strategy Outcome on Scotland's Global Footprint: Evidence base & Policy LeversFound: The dominant drivers of biodiversity loss differ between terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems.