THE British Horse Society has welcomed a Government consultation on the animal health bill currently going through Parliament.
The society had earlier expressed concerns to DEFRA about the wider implications of the bill. The group had told the ministry the proposals would allow for significant new power to be granted to slaughter animals that are healthy and have not been in contact with, or exposed to, a disease. The proposals further allow for forced entry to premises to carry out this slaughter.
Among the issues the BHS would like to see addressed in any new legislation is the need for powers to enable welfare organisations to remove an animal to a place of safety if it had been kept in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering.
At present such groups as the BHS have to stand back and wait for an animal to deteriorate sufficiently before they can act in cases in which the owner will not co-operate.
The society wants the bill to address other animal welfare issues including "indiscriminate breeding."
Updated: 09:04 Thursday, January 10, 2002
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