"The issue of animal sentience has implications for all areas of human-animal interaction" - Dr Penny Hawkins.

Charity launches new ten-year strategy, Together for Animal Welfare.

As the Brexit transition period comes to an end, the RSPCA is calling on the Government to 'make good its commitment' to introduce animal sentience into UK law 'as soon as possible'.

When the transition period ends on 31 December, European laws recognising the sentience of animals will no longer apply in the UK, meaning that animals may no longer have vital legal protections.

The UK Government has previously pledged that the principle would come into law as part of a package of measures on key animal health and welfare issues.

RSPCA animal welfare expert, Dr Penny Hawkins, said: “The issue of animal sentience has implications for all areas of human-animal interaction; if animals can have feelings, as we know many can, both their physical and mental welfare needs must be taken into account. This is very important with respect to laws, policies and people's behaviour relating to animals and their welfare.”

She continued: "The concept of animal sentience must be enshrined in law so that all government departments would have to consider the impact on the welfare of sentient animals when developing any policies in any area of life. In order to help ensure that the government receives well-informed guidance in its application of a new animal sentience law we are also calling for an expert, independent animal welfare advisory committee.”

While animal sentience is currently enshrined in EU law, it is the only issue not being carried over into UK legislation by the UK Government. 

In the New Year, the RSPCA is launching its new ten-year strategy, Together for Animal Welfare, to ensure that animal welfare remains at the heart of policy-making decisions. The charity would also like to see the UK Government form an expert, independent animal welfare advisory committee, similar to that in Scotland.

'This will help ensure that the government receives well-informed guidance in its application of a new animal sentience law,' the RSPCA said.