Animal Sentience Bill examined by MPs
14 July 2021
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee holds the first evidence session of its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill inquiry. Sentience is the capacity to having feelings, and MPs will explore whether this Bill is the right approach to ensuring Government policy has all due regard to protecting the welfare needs of sentiment animals.
- Watch Parliament TV: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
- Inquiry: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
The Committee examines whether the proposed Animal Sentience Committee will be sufficiently independent and have the necessary expertise.
The session also explores how the Government is engaging on the scientific evidence for animal sentience, and if the Bill should be limited to animals with a backbone.
Witnesses
Monday 19 July
At 4.15pm
- Dr Jonathan Birch, Associate Professor, Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics (LSE)
- Tim Bonner, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance
- Dr Penny Hawkins, Head, Animals in Science Department, Advocacy and Policy Directorate, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
At 5.15pm
- Dr Steven McCulloch, Senior Lecturer in Human-Animal Studies, University of Winchester
- Dr Nick Palmer, Head, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) UK
- Dr Mike Radford OBE, Reader in Animal Welfare Law and UK Constitutional Law, University of Aberdeen
Further information
Image: PC