By Nicole Bergman – Law Student and A-LAW Legal Correspondent
Our Chair, Paula Sparks, along with Professor Andrew Knight, Professor David Favre, and Dr Aysha Akhtar, discuss [article here] the challenges and progress that’s been achieved since Martin’s Act, the first animal welfare legislation in the world, was introduced in 1882.
The article highlights challenges related to animal welfare that can be attributed to human behavior, including meat consumption and the corresponding fact that three quarters of farmed animals are kept in “industrialised environments” to support meat production and consumer demand.
Secondly, the use of animals in labs and research testing, which has continued to grow with an estimated 192.1 million animals being used for “scientific purposes” in 2015 alone.
Thirdly, the use of animals for sport and amusement which can have strong cultural associations, but nevertheless inflicts needless suffering on the animals involved in activities such as bullfighting.
Amidst these challenges, the article highlights how progress has been realised citing examples such as changes in attitudes towards pet adoption, changes in legislation that better protect animals, and changes in consumer behavior where spectators for bullfighting have declined and some bullrings in Spain have closed as a result.
Although some progress has been made, Paula Sparks points out that inconsistencies in animal welfare laws and practices exist because animal protection tends to be more “context-specific” than universal in nature.
This article points to the future with optimism, citing the impact of technology and plant-based consumption trends. Professor Knight heralds plant-based diets as the “biggest achievement” to date in the ongoing campaign to further animal rights. These ongoing shifts and trends could be a boon not only for the environment but also in the fight to better protect animal rights and welfare.
To learn more read the full article below.
Bardsley, Dl (2022) “Two Centuries Since the First Law to Prevent Animal Cruelty How Much Has Changed.” The National, November 15, 2022. Available at: https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2022/11/15/two-centuries-since-the-first-law-to-prevent-animal-cruelty-how-much-has-changed/.
About the author:
Nicole is studying law at the University of Leicester and is interested in issues related to human and animal rights, as well as immigration and employment law. Nicole is a contributing author with the UK Animal Law Center blog and a legal correspondent with the centre.
