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| Brexit would be disastrous for Britain’s farm animals Brexit would be disastrous for Britain’s farm animals | |
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| With so many loud voices clamouring to be heard in the Brexit debate, there is a risk we will fail to consider those that cannot speak at all – animals. But voting to leave the European Union could have a profound effect on their welfare. Britain has a reputation as a nation of animal lovers, but over the past decade our lawmakers have lagged behind Europe’s in protecting them from harm. | With so many loud voices clamouring to be heard in the Brexit debate, there is a risk we will fail to consider those that cannot speak at all – animals. But voting to leave the European Union could have a profound effect on their welfare. Britain has a reputation as a nation of animal lovers, but over the past decade our lawmakers have lagged behind Europe’s in protecting them from harm. |
| Things were not always this way. Britain was the first country to pass any form of protective legislation for farm animals, in 1822. The law banned people from “wantonly and cruelly” beating livestock. Presumably other sorts of beatings were A-OK as far as the MPs of the time were concerned, but it was still a world first. | Things were not always this way. Britain was the first country to pass any form of protective legislation for farm animals, in 1822. The law banned people from “wantonly and cruelly” beating livestock. Presumably other sorts of beatings were A-OK as far as the MPs of the time were concerned, but it was still a world first. |
| Britain passed many animal welfare laws in the following two centuries. But we have become increasingly reliant on Brussels for strong regulations to protect farmed animals. We have Europe to thank for Britain getting welfare laws for farmed pigs and chickens, such as banning barren cages for battery hens in 2012 and sow stalls – which kept pigs unable to move for most of their lives – in 2013. | Britain passed many animal welfare laws in the following two centuries. But we have become increasingly reliant on Brussels for strong regulations to protect farmed animals. We have Europe to thank for Britain getting welfare laws for farmed pigs and chickens, such as banning barren cages for battery hens in 2012 and sow stalls – which kept pigs unable to move for most of their lives – in 2013. |
| Both were identified as the worst excesses of factory farming as far back as 1975, when Peter Singer published Animal Liberation, but it took Europe to finally get its member states to take action. Europe has also passed dozens more requirements to reduce animal suffering while they are being farmed, transported and slaughtered: too many to list here. | Both were identified as the worst excesses of factory farming as far back as 1975, when Peter Singer published Animal Liberation, but it took Europe to finally get its member states to take action. Europe has also passed dozens more requirements to reduce animal suffering while they are being farmed, transported and slaughtered: too many to list here. |
| Many say these laws do not go far enough, and that modern intensive farming techniques are still cruel. Regardless, these techniques are much less cruel because of European regulation, and each new law is a step in the right direction. If Britain leaves the EU, then current animal rights rules will not vanish overnight. But their future would not be certain long term, and from an animal rights perspective an independent Britain is worrying for two reasons. | Many say these laws do not go far enough, and that modern intensive farming techniques are still cruel. Regardless, these techniques are much less cruel because of European regulation, and each new law is a step in the right direction. If Britain leaves the EU, then current animal rights rules will not vanish overnight. But their future would not be certain long term, and from an animal rights perspective an independent Britain is worrying for two reasons. |
| First, Brexit would mean that the UK would not be subject to future directives on farmed animal rights. Second, an independent Britain will not need to keep to previous EU rules that protect farmed animals. Sadly we can discount the possibility that an independent Britain under the current government would choose to increase animal protections. Cameron’s administration has shown no desire to go beyond any minimum EU position on animal rights and is instead actively pursuing a deregulatory agenda. Just last month it emerged that Conservative ministers wanted to scrap many guidelines on animal welfare, beginning with letting the poultry industry self-regulate in some areas. | First, Brexit would mean that the UK would not be subject to future directives on farmed animal rights. Second, an independent Britain will not need to keep to previous EU rules that protect farmed animals. Sadly we can discount the possibility that an independent Britain under the current government would choose to increase animal protections. Cameron’s administration has shown no desire to go beyond any minimum EU position on animal rights and is instead actively pursuing a deregulatory agenda. Just last month it emerged that Conservative ministers wanted to scrap many guidelines on animal welfare, beginning with letting the poultry industry self-regulate in some areas. |
| The plans were shelved after a public outcry, but their proposal alone shows the current Conservative disregard for farmed creatures. | The plans were shelved after a public outcry, but their proposal alone shows the current Conservative disregard for farmed creatures. |
| Their preference for deregulation over animal welfare is also demonstrated by plans to review the foxhunting ban, despite most of the population backing it. Beyond their preference for deregulation, the Tories are the party of business, and complying with animal rights laws costs money. If post-Brexit business lobbyists call for the relaxation of rules that protect farm animals, the Tories may well listen. | Their preference for deregulation over animal welfare is also demonstrated by plans to review the foxhunting ban, despite most of the population backing it. Beyond their preference for deregulation, the Tories are the party of business, and complying with animal rights laws costs money. If post-Brexit business lobbyists call for the relaxation of rules that protect farm animals, the Tories may well listen. |
| Another factor in this debate is what happens to the annual £2.4bn EU subsidies to British farmers in the event of Brexit, around 53% of their incomes, and what that means for farmed animals. If Britain leaves, that subsidy goes, as does farmers’ easy access to the single market. Farming minister George Eustice said in February that the government would pay a subsidy in the case of Brexit. It is unclear how he can promise this, especially as his boss, the prime minister, is still sticking to the line that he has no contingency plans for leaving the EU. | Another factor in this debate is what happens to the annual £2.4bn EU subsidies to British farmers in the event of Brexit, around 53% of their incomes, and what that means for farmed animals. If Britain leaves, that subsidy goes, as does farmers’ easy access to the single market. Farming minister George Eustice said in February that the government would pay a subsidy in the case of Brexit. It is unclear how he can promise this, especially as his boss, the prime minister, is still sticking to the line that he has no contingency plans for leaving the EU. |
| If farmers did end up getting fewer subsidies post-Brexit, the implications for animal rights are poor. Animal farmers are not monsters, and many farms just want to do the right thing – I was raised on one. But as the author Upton Sinclair once said: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” | If farmers did end up getting fewer subsidies post-Brexit, the implications for animal rights are poor. Animal farmers are not monsters, and many farms just want to do the right thing – I was raised on one. But as the author Upton Sinclair once said: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” |
| Factory farming is the most cost-effective way of turning animals into cash, and the industry has shown it can turn to extremely cruel animal farming practices in the pursuit of Rizla-thin profits. The stranglehold of the big supermarkets means farmers struggle to raise prices, so fewer subsidies could tempt them to bend the existing rules or call for their overhaul. | Factory farming is the most cost-effective way of turning animals into cash, and the industry has shown it can turn to extremely cruel animal farming practices in the pursuit of Rizla-thin profits. The stranglehold of the big supermarkets means farmers struggle to raise prices, so fewer subsidies could tempt them to bend the existing rules or call for their overhaul. |
| We have made impressive advances on animal rights in the UK over the years. But from an animal welfare perspective we really need continued European Union input. Animal rights are too important to be left to our current government, and if Brexit happens then the chances are that rights for farm animals will either stagnate or be whittled away. We must speak up on animals’ behalf and stop either of these from happening. | We have made impressive advances on animal rights in the UK over the years. But from an animal welfare perspective we really need continued European Union input. Animal rights are too important to be left to our current government, and if Brexit happens then the chances are that rights for farm animals will either stagnate or be whittled away. We must speak up on animals’ behalf and stop either of these from happening. |