By Lia Nici letter contradicts recent animal welfare vote
A letter sent by local MP Lia Nici has emerged online showing a contradictory statement after voting against a new Animal Welfare Bill.
The Grimsby MP recently voted against three clauses on a new Animal Welfare Bill which would examine whether “the welfare of animals as sentient beings” is considered in government policy decisions.
The Bill requires the Government to establish an Animal Sentience Committee, which will be able to scrutinise and report on whether the Government is taking into account the adverse effect of any policy “on the welfare of animals as sentient beings”.
The three clauses she voted against are:
- Clause 1 which “would place a duty on the Secretary of State to produce an animal sentience strategy, and to provide an annual update to Parliament on progress against it.”
- Clause 3 states “The Animal Sentience Committee shall produce a report on the use of sentient animals in animal experimentation in government policy. The report shall cover—medical testing, cosmetics testing, and weapons testing.”
- Clause 5 states “The Animal Sentience Committee shall produce a report on the impact of government policy on river pollution on sentient animals.”
However, a new letter has come to light which was sent out to a local constituent before the vote in the House of Lords this week.
In the letter, Ms Nici states: “First and foremost, I believe animals are sentient beings who can feel pain and suffering, and I would like to reassure that strong action is being taken to reduce their risk of harm.”
She then adds: “The government is committed to making any necessary changes to UK law in a rigorous and comprehensive way to ensure animal sentience is legally recognised.”
Only a short time after this letter was sent the Grimsby MP voted against the three previously mentioned clauses in the House of Lords in the Animal Welfare Sentience Bill.
