answer text |
<p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England
only.</p><p>The Government takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously. Our manifesto
and the recent Action Plan for Animal Welfare published on 12 May were clear about
the importance of high standards of animal welfare. We have a long tradition of protecting
animals and that will continue.</p><p>As with all kept animals, the welfare of exotic
animals held in private residences is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Under
this legislation it is an offence to cause suffering to a kept animal or to fail to
provide for their needs. The Government's recent Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021
realises the Government's manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available
to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. From 29 June 2021, anyone
who is cruel to an animal faces a prison sentence for up to five years, an unlimited
fine, or both.</p><p>The private keeping of specific exotic animals deemed to be dangerous
in the UK is also regulated by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. This legislation
requires those keeping particular species to obtain a licence from their Local Authority.
Whilst this legislation is primarily concerned with public safety, licence holders
are required to provide suitable accommodation, food, drink and bedding for any animals
held under licence and are subject to regular inspections by a veterinary practitioner.</p><p>In
the 2019 manifesto, the Government committed to ban the keeping of primates as pets.
Primates are highly intelligent wild animals with complicated welfare needs and as
such are unsuitable to be kept as pets. In a Call for Evidence on the welfare of primates
kept as pets which closed in January 2020, Defra received evidence of the harm that
can be done to primates kept in domestic settings, both physical and psychological.</p><p>Defra
sought public input on proposals to tackle the issue of primates kept as pets in a
consultation launched at the end of 2020. As outlined in the Government's Action Plan
for Animal Welfare we will legislate to prohibit primates as pets. Keepers that are
able to provide welfare standards akin to those of licensed zoos will be able to keep
their primates under a new licensing regime, subject to conditions and inspections.
Ownership of these exotic animals with complex needs will be phased out for keepers
unable to meet these standards.</p><p>The Government is considering which other wild
animals these restrictions could apply to and steps to ensure this is possible will
form part of the upcoming Kept Animals Bill.</p>
|
|