BREXIT HAS GIVEN US BACK OUR INDEPENDENCE IN FISHING, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 gives a stronger and more effective recognition of the sentience of animals, and the need to provide adequate welfare that takes their sentience into account than EU law.
Explanation:
The Lisbon Treaty amended the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in 2009, recognising animals as sentient beings. Article 13 of the TFEU requires the EU and its member states to consider animal welfare when making policies in regards to agriculture, fisheries, transport and many other areas.
When the process of separation from the EU commenced, there were concerns the UK government was not intending to replicate the laws relating to animal sentience in UK law. However, post-departure, the UK government pushed through the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, which formally recognised animal sentience in UK law for the first time.
Both the EU and the UK now recognise animal sentience, but the UK does so with specific legislation post-Brexit, allowing for more tailored and stricter interpretations and applications. The EUs framework is broader, but is often criticised for still allowing member states to maintain practices deemed inhumane by animal rights activists (such as bullfighting, breeding of mink for production of fur clothing, and traditionally-produced Foie Gras).
Ultimately, the wish of the EU to take into account the cultural differences between member states has meant that in the area of animal welfare, laws have had to be weakened in order to not undermine or prohibit those cultural differences that many find inhumane. The UK does not need to take such cultural practices into account, allowing it to implement stronger laws that deliver the desired outcome more effectively.