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<p>We are committed to strengthening animal welfare standards and protections, and
our Action Plan for Animal Welfare sets out our vision to introduce a wide range of
ambitious improvements. We continue to drive forward this agenda through legislation
as Parliamentary time allows, and through non-legislative reforms.</p><p> </p><p>The
passing of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 realises the Government’s manifesto
commitment to introduce tougher penalties for animal cruelty. The Animal Welfare (Sentience)
Act 2022 has delivered on the commitment to introduce new laws for animal sentience.</p><p>
</p><p>We have also introduced new powers for police and courts to tackle the illegal
and cruel sport of hare coursing through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts
Act 2022 and we also backed bills introducing penalty notices for animal welfare offences
and to ban glue traps, all of which have received Royal Assent.</p><p> </p><p>The
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was reintroduced in May 2022 and will continue
its passage through the Commons when parliamentary time allows. The Bill delivers
key manifesto commitments to end the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter,
crack down on illegal puppy smuggling, and ban the keeping of primates as pets. It
will also update the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, introduce a new pet abduction offence
following the work of the Pet Theft Taskforce and reform legislation to tackle livestock
worrying.</p>
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