Queens speech - parliament plans

[Lloyd90]

About to go live - some big plans being rumoured. 
 

Rumours about a push to get through the changes to social care ... that idea last time lost May a significant lead and her role as PM! 
 

Proposed legislation to stop ex forces members being prosecuted for their role in NI ... good news on that front  

 

Lets see what else is on the cards. 

[Velocette]

This looks slightly worrying.

Exclusive: Animals to have their feelings protected by law in Queen's Speech

Plus: In an exclusive interview, Environment Secretary George Eustice explains why his new Animal Sentience Bill is necessary


By Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent, interviewing and Charles Hymas, Home Affairs Editor 8 May 2021 • 9:30pm
 

New Government Bill will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their emotions Credit: Getty Images

Animals with a backbone will have a legal right to feel happiness and suffering in a Government drive to raise welfare standards in Tuesday's Queen’s Speech.
An Animal Sentience Bill will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions, and can experience joy and pleasure, as well as pain and suffering.
"Sentience” will apply to “vertebrate animals - anything with a spinal cord", Environment secretary George Eustice told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview below.
An existing committee of experts and civil servants in Defra will be tasked with ensuring Government’s policies take into account animal sentience.
Ministers were criticised in 2018 when the duty was not carried across into UK law from the European Union after Brexit.
The Government wants to make the UK a world leader in animal welfare and laws that protect animals form the centrepiece of this week’s Queen’s Speech.
As well as an Animal Sentience Bill, an Animals Abroad Bill will ban the import of trophies from animal hunting. A third measure - a Kept Animals Bill - will stop live animal exports and ban families from keeping primates as pets.
The Government will also publish an animal welfare strategy which will raise the prospect of banning fur imports, microchipping all domestic cats and calling time on the cruel killing of pigs by gassing them with carbon dioxide.
Animal welfare is not at odds with caring about our rural communities
The Conservative government has certainly come a long way since the party first won power in 2010 on a pledge to offer a free vote on legalising fox hunting, writes Christopher Hope.
This week’s Queen’s Speech will see the Tory government publish draft laws that enshrine in law the right of animals to feel pain, as well as bans on live animal exports, importing hunting trophies and keeping primates as pets.
A separate animal welfare strategy document will set the direction of travel, raising the prospect of banning fur imports, microchipping all cats and calling time on the cruel killing of pigs by gassing them with carbon dioxide.
It is some journey from “hoodie hugging” when David Cameron was leader in the 2000s to “bunny hugging” under Boris Johnson in the 2020s. And it has been witnessed at first hand by George Eustice, a party press officer in the 2000s and now the Environment secretary.
When we met in his office at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs late on Friday, I asked him if he thinks this lurch towards saving animals rather than hunting them with packs of dogs will sit well with the party’s traditional voters.

 

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister George Eustice Credit: Geoff Pugh
He says: “I don't really see that there's an inconsistency between caring about animal welfare, wanting to promote that and believing in rural communities, and the values of the countryside.
“I grew up on a family farm from a sixth generation farming family. I'm somebody who really understands the social capital that exists in our farming communities and rural communities.
“And by having higher standards of animal welfare, there's nothing at all that is at odds with caring also about rural communities in the countryside.”
For Mr Eustice, who grew up on his family farm with Guinea pigs, rabbits and a rescued Border Collie called Mono, the difference between then and now is that Boris Johnson wants to prioritise animal welfare.
“There were always other priorities. Boris Johnson is the first Prime Minister, probably ever, to mention animal welfare on the steps of Downing Street. We've now got an occupant in Number 10 who really just wants to get some of these things done.”
Critics claim that Mr Johnson’s love for animals comes from his fiancee Carrie Symonds, a passionate environmentalist. Mr Eustice says he has not talked to Miss Symonds “directly” about the new animal welfare laws.
He says: “She [Miss Symonds] has long held views on this so there's no doubt about that - she's campaigned on animal welfare issues.
“And it's not as though she's unique and alone in this. She is a Conservative she's passionate about animal welfare, as am I, as is the Prime Minister.”
The most eye-catching of this week’s slew of animal welfare laws is an Animal Sentience Bill which will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions, and have the same capacity to feel joy and pleasure, as well as pain and suffering.
An existing committee of experts and civil servants in Defra will be tasked with ensuring Government’s policies will take into account animal sentience. Ministers had been criticised in 2018 when the duty was not carried across into UK law after Brexit.

Credit: Geoff Pugh
Mr Eustice says: “It would not make fishing illegal - people needn’t worry about that. It is much more than when we design policies, we have to have regard for animal sentience.”
Mr Eustice admits some of the measures - such as the ban on bringing back hunting trophies to the UK and possible restrictions on fur imports - will not affect large numbers.
The ban on keeping primates as pets, for example, is mainly targeted at the small number of people who have marmosets in homes (numbers grew after the Labour government removed restrictions in 2008 on the grounds that they are not dangerous).
But it is all about “sending a signal”. He says: “It sends an important signal around the world and this is something that we want to try and stop.” Many of these changes - such the ban on live animal exports - are made possible by the UK’s exit from the European Union.
“As a self governing country you gain some agility and also the self confidence to make these judgments for yourself.
“And it does show that outside the EU, we can address areas of policy that some might consider, small niche areas of policy, but where you can make laws better or stronger.
Mr Eustice admits that tackling the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic is the Government’s number one priority.
But he says: “That doesn't mean you have to stop work on every other front. How you treat animals, and the legislation you have to govern that, is a mark of a civilised society, and we should be constantly looking to improve and refine our legislation in this area.”

 

 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Good grief!

[Lloyd90]

Bloody madness... when a man can’t own a monkey in his own home what on earth is the world coming to?!!! 

[old'un]

24 minutes ago, Velocette said:

This looks slightly worrying.

Exclusive: Animals to have their feelings protected by law in Queen's Speech

Plus: In an exclusive interview, Environment Secretary George Eustice explains why his new Animal Sentience Bill is necessary


By Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent, interviewing and Charles Hymas, Home Affairs Editor 8 May 2021 • 9:30pm
 

New Government Bill will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their emotions Credit: Getty Images

Animals with a backbone will have a legal right to feel happiness and suffering in a Government drive to raise welfare standards in Tuesday's Queen’s Speech.
An Animal Sentience Bill will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions, and can experience joy and pleasure, as well as pain and suffering.
"Sentience” will apply to “vertebrate animals - anything with a spinal cord", Environment secretary George Eustice told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview below.
An existing committee of experts and civil servants in Defra will be tasked with ensuring Government’s policies take into account animal sentience.
Ministers were criticised in 2018 when the duty was not carried across into UK law from the European Union after Brexit.
The Government wants to make the UK a world leader in animal welfare and laws that protect animals form the centrepiece of this week’s Queen’s Speech.
As well as an Animal Sentience Bill, an Animals Abroad Bill will ban the import of trophies from animal hunting. A third measure - a Kept Animals Bill - will stop live animal exports and ban families from keeping primates as pets.
The Government will also publish an animal welfare strategy which will raise the prospect of banning fur imports, microchipping all domestic cats and calling time on the cruel killing of pigs by gassing them with carbon dioxide.
Animal welfare is not at odds with caring about our rural communities
The Conservative government has certainly come a long way since the party first won power in 2010 on a pledge to offer a free vote on legalising fox hunting, writes Christopher Hope.
This week’s Queen’s Speech will see the Tory government publish draft laws that enshrine in law the right of animals to feel pain, as well as bans on live animal exports, importing hunting trophies and keeping primates as pets.
A separate animal welfare strategy document will set the direction of travel, raising the prospect of banning fur imports, microchipping all cats and calling time on the cruel killing of pigs by gassing them with carbon dioxide.
It is some journey from “hoodie hugging” when David Cameron was leader in the 2000s to “bunny hugging” under Boris Johnson in the 2020s. And it has been witnessed at first hand by George Eustice, a party press officer in the 2000s and now the Environment secretary.
When we met in his office at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs late on Friday, I asked him if he thinks this lurch towards saving animals rather than hunting them with packs of dogs will sit well with the party’s traditional voters.

 

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister George Eustice Credit: Geoff Pugh
He says: “I don't really see that there's an inconsistency between caring about animal welfare, wanting to promote that and believing in rural communities, and the values of the countryside.
“I grew up on a family farm from a sixth generation farming family. I'm somebody who really understands the social capital that exists in our farming communities and rural communities.
“And by having higher standards of animal welfare, there's nothing at all that is at odds with caring also about rural communities in the countryside.”
For Mr Eustice, who grew up on his family farm with Guinea pigs, rabbits and a rescued Border Collie called Mono, the difference between then and now is that Boris Johnson wants to prioritise animal welfare.
“There were always other priorities. Boris Johnson is the first Prime Minister, probably ever, to mention animal welfare on the steps of Downing Street. We've now got an occupant in Number 10 who really just wants to get some of these things done.”
Critics claim that Mr Johnson’s love for animals comes from his fiancee Carrie Symonds, a passionate environmentalist. Mr Eustice says he has not talked to Miss Symonds “directly” about the new animal welfare laws.
He says: “She [Miss Symonds] has long held views on this so there's no doubt about that - she's campaigned on animal welfare issues.
“And it's not as though she's unique and alone in this. She is a Conservative she's passionate about animal welfare, as am I, as is the Prime Minister.”
The most eye-catching of this week’s slew of animal welfare laws is an Animal Sentience Bill which will enshrine in law that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions, and have the same capacity to feel joy and pleasure, as well as pain and suffering.
An existing committee of experts and civil servants in Defra will be tasked with ensuring Government’s policies will take into account animal sentience. Ministers had been criticised in 2018 when the duty was not carried across into UK law after Brexit.

Credit: Geoff Pugh
Mr Eustice says: “It would not make fishing illegal - people needn’t worry about that. It is much more than when we design policies, we have to have regard for animal sentience.”
Mr Eustice admits some of the measures - such as the ban on bringing back hunting trophies to the UK and possible restrictions on fur imports - will not affect large numbers.
The ban on keeping primates as pets, for example, is mainly targeted at the small number of people who have marmosets in homes (numbers grew after the Labour government removed restrictions in 2008 on the grounds that they are not dangerous).
But it is all about “sending a signal”. He says: “It sends an important signal around the world and this is something that we want to try and stop.” Many of these changes - such the ban on live animal exports - are made possible by the UK’s exit from the European Union.
“As a self governing country you gain some agility and also the self confidence to make these judgments for yourself.
“And it does show that outside the EU, we can address areas of policy that some might consider, small niche areas of policy, but where you can make laws better or stronger.
Mr Eustice admits that tackling the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic is the Government’s number one priority.
But he says: “That doesn't mean you have to stop work on every other front. How you treat animals, and the legislation you have to govern that, is a mark of a civilised society, and we should be constantly looking to improve and refine our legislation in this area.”

 

I wonder if this had any influence on the above, its backed by WJ and RSPB….https://e-activist.com/page/75310/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=Wild Justice

Is it possible Packham/Avery (WJ) could now use this to mount a challenge to shooting? Sighting that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions and shooters are not taking this into account when shooting them, interesting times ahead me thinks.

Edited May 11, 2021 by old'un

[Gordon R]

Whether the intention is worthy or not, it looks like a minefield to me.

[old'un]

12 minutes ago, Gordon R said:

Whether the intention is worthy or not, it looks like a minefield to me.

Agree, the two words that are part of that minefield are “feelings and emotions”

[islandgun]

1 hour ago, old'un said:

I wonder if this had any influence on the above, its backed by WJ and RSPB….https://e-activist.com/page/75310/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=Wild Justice

Is it possible Packham/Avery (WJ) could now use this to mount a challenge to shooting? Sighting that animals are aware of their feelings and emotions and shooters are not taking this into account when shooting them, interesting times ahead me thinks.

The same applies to all farm animals........... and any predators which are currently controlled by the RSPB around their valued and protected sights, mink, rats etc

leaf diet for the UK then  

[Manish]

Never done it in my life but I might have to go down the bullying route if the antis start using this new law to attack us. We are a minority group and are being told what we do is wrong. Nobody is going after the pervs that go to the far east (Thailand etc) for there special holidays but we get hammered for something that humans have done since the dawn of time. 

[clangerman]

congratulations gump fans you have put a anti in charge all we need to do now is take our places to go under the bus 

[Velocette]

Don't knock it. It may be to your advantage.

[Rewulf]

28 minutes ago, clangerman said:

congratulations gump fans you have put a anti in charge all we need to do now is take our places to go under the bus 

So who did you vote for ?
The pro shooting labour party or lib dems  ? 

[clangerman]

2 minutes ago, Rewulf said:

So who did you vote for ?
The pro shooting labour party or lib dems  ? 

feeling a fool after every election looked very over rated so always left it on the bucket list thanks 

[mel b3]

2 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Good grief!

I reckon they could be right . I had a Jack Russell for 17 years , and he was always in a bad mood . He was probably suffering from some kind disorder ,  that was all my fault for calling him a dirty little xxxxxxx when he piddled on the carpet . 

[oowee]

Unfortunately lots of people voted for them 😞.

Much more to come.

[Scully]

I wouldn’t worry too much. 
1. As someone else has said, if it comes to pass it will apply to all parties. 
2. I seriously doubt Boris will be with the same woman in a few years time. 

[discobob]

1 minute ago, Scully said:

2. I seriously doubt Boris will be with the same woman in a few years time. 

And that is the nub of the issue I think - he is letting where he dips his his nib affect his handwriting

[twenty]

Will this new Sentience Bill cover Kosher and Halal slaughter .............asking for a friend

[Scully]

Just now, discobob said:

And that is the nub of the issue I think - he is letting where he dips his his nib affect his handwriting

😂 I’ll have to borrow that. 

1 minute ago, twenty said:

Will this new Sentience Bill cover Kosher and Halal slaughter .............asking for a friend

😀👍

[Rewulf]

53 minutes ago, clangerman said:

feeling a fool after every election looked very over rated so always left it on the bucket list thanks 

Me too until the referendum, until I realised , if you want something to change, it isnt going to happen unless you DO something, and even then it might not.
What I can tell you , is staring at it , or complaining about it definitely wont.

[discobob]

29 minutes ago, Scully said:

😂 I’ll have to borrow that.

It is a rework of the old Mike Harding joke - about him writing something in the snow - and the Dad saying "I know but it is our Vera's handwriting"

 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Boom boom!

[saddler]

As a dachshund owner I feel that the use of a photo of two dachshunds has hurt my feelings!
Can I form a new focus group for this? Where do I apply for funding?

Will there be a way to also apply this new Ruling to potential trading partners i.e., areas of the world that feel it's still ok to skin cats and dogs alive before cooking & eating them, etc??

[Scully]

36 minutes ago, discobob said:

It is a rework of the old Mike Harding joke - about him writing something in the snow - and the Dad saying "I know but it is our Vera's handwriting"

 

😂👍

[bluesj]

1 hour ago, twenty said:

Will this new Sentience Bill cover Kosher and Halal slaughter .............asking for a friend

No and I bet it wont cover imports to the UK.