My View: Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act

Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the Animals (Low Welfare Activities) Abroad Act. 

I do not want to see the abuse of animals in any circumstances. Some animals abroad are subjected to considerable suffering and unacceptable practices to provide entertainment for tourists. Many individuals may not be aware of the conditions these animals experience. I want tourists to be supported to choose higher welfare activities when on holiday to help protect animals.

Businesses and organisations advertising activities which involve animals should ensure they do not promote or support low welfare activities. The Association of British Travel Agents has published guidelines and a list of animal welfare activities classified as unacceptable. I would welcome efforts to help improve information to holidaymakers about how these activities and their choices could impact on animal welfare.

I am pleased our Government has clearly stated in its Animal Welfare Strategy that it will continue to work with the industry and non-governmental organisations on this issue. It has pledged to explore legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising in the UK of low animal welfare activities abroad, and to encourage travellers to choose activities with high welfare standards.

I know that World Animal Protection has shared its latest report, Bred to Entertain, with our Government, and we will consider its findings as they build the evidence base on this subject.

I strongly supported the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 on its journey through Parliament. However, I understand Ministers face certain challenges to ensure that this legislation is effective when implemented.

For example, it must be clear for advertisers and enforcement bodies which activities are in scope, and high-welfare activities must not be inadvertently impacted. We also need to ensure that those placing the adverts can be identified. The law would ban advertising only in this country, but many advertised holidays and activities are not from organisations based in the UK.

Introducing effective legislation involves many considerations and this is a complex subject that our Government wants to get right. I am reassured that Ministers and officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are continuing to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to make progress in countering low animal welfare activities abroad.