Devon County Council has voted almost unanimously to support a motion on animal welfare.
Councillor Claire Wright submitted the motion to ask members to send a letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for the Environment, to incorporate strong protection for animals into legislation when the UK leaves the EU.
The motion stated the council was ‘disappointed’ the Government voted to omit an important clause in EU law relating to animal sentience, as part of the Withdrawal Bill.
The clause MPs voted to omit back in November was Article 13 in EU law, which dictated the state was responsible for animal welfare, not just the keeper of the animal, which is the UK law.
It also stated the council ‘backed calls from the British Veterinary Association to commit to an appropriate timeframe to reinstate the vital obligation in EU law in Article 13’.
The motion was discussed at the council’s recent meeting on Thursday.
On her website, Cllr Wright said: “I’m really happy to report that Devon County Council voted through my motion on animal welfare this afternoon, unanimously bar one.
“It means that a letter will now be sent to Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Gove, urging him to incorporate into UK legislation, strong protections for animals, once we leave the EU.”
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