U.K. Legislation Bans "Cruel" Animal Attractions

Animal rights activists have praised the move, calling it a "huge step forward" for the welfare of tourism animals.

The government of the United Kingdom has just enacted new legislation to safeguard animals in the tourism industry. The law, which covers both England and Northern Ireland, will empower the government to propose a ban on the promotion or sale of certain wildlife tourist experiences.

It's possible that it will include immoral practices including riding, drugging, or keeping animals in captivity, as well as the taking of photographs with animals who have been coerced into doing so by visitors.

The government claims that third-party research proves that these encounters routinely include the "harsh treatment" of animals. To make them comfortable with visitors, play football, and be ridden, "brutal" procedures are used. According to UK Animal Welfare Minister Lord Benyon, certain overseas tourist attractions routinely subject beautiful creatures like elephants to inhumane and barbaric training techniques.

“The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act is an important step in our commitment to ensure high animal welfare standards both here in this country and abroad, and I encourage holidaymakers to do their research so they can make informed choices that do not encourage poor animal welfare practices", he commented.

A "huge victory" for animal rights activists worldwide

According to studies published in 2015 by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University, up to 550,000 animals are harmed each year for the benefit of tourists.

The Born Free Foundation, which advocates for animals, hailed the bill as a "huge step forward," claiming that the British people has always been on board with bettering animal welfare and protecting biodiversity.

As stated by the charity's director of policy, Dr. Mark Jones, it is now vital that Ministers move fast to guarantee critical activities become offences under the new legislation.

“It is now imperative that Ministers act quickly to ensure key activities, such as elephant rides and cruel circus-type shows involving primates, bears, dolphins and others, become offences under the new law,” explained Dr Jones.

If these rules are strictly followed, it will help save endangered and vulnerable species from extinction due to overexploitation in the tourist industry. Keeping elephants and other animals "provoked by suffering" from turning on humans is another way in which this approach might save countless lives.

In the beginning, the Act will be enforced in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and its implementation is scheduled for the month of December. The government must choose which commercial actions will be criminalized.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) previously released rules detailing which acts are considered undesirable. However, when it comes to protecting animals in poor welfare environments from being used for entertainment purposes, this legislative initiative is a global first.

 

Source: euronews.com