Animal welfare campaigners have hailed news that the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act passed into law on Monday (September 18).
The legislation – applicable in England and Northern Ireland – allows the government to bring forward a ban on the advertising and sale of specific unethical activities abroad where animals are kept in captivity or confinement, subjected to cruel and brutal training methods, forced to take selfies or are ridden, drugged and de-clawed.
Abta already has published guidelines and a list of activities which it classifies as unacceptable.
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The government said evidence about these kind of experiences shows that animals used in the tourist trade are often subject to “harsh treatment” to ensure their compliance in activities.
It noted that “brutal” training methods are often used to “break in” Asian elephants to make them safe to be near tourists and partake in unnatural activities such as playing football, painting, tourist rides and excessive bathing.
Animal welfare minister Lord Benyon said: “We know that some foreign tourist attractions often subject majestic animals like elephants to cruel and brutal training methods.
“The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act is an important step in our commitment to ensure high animal welfare standards both here in this country and abroad, and I encourage holidaymakers to do their research so they can make informed choices that do not encourage poor animal welfare practices.”
It was tabled by Angela Richardson, Conservative MP for Guildford, as a private members bill.
She said: “This legislation is a world first and will work towards greater protection of vulnerable animals in low welfare settings from being exploited as tourist experiences.”
Duncan McNair, chief executive at Save The Asian Elephants, said: “Save The Asian Elephants and the millions who have supported our campaign hope the passing into law of the landmark Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act will prove a momentous day for animals everywhere.
“The measures, resolutely implemented and enforced, will help protect endangered and vulnerable species across the world from extreme exploitation, harm and death in tourism.”
Animal charity Born Free Foundation applauded the new law as a “massive step forward” saying it will have a “big impact for wild animals suffering for tourist entertainment”.
Dr Mark Jones, Born Free’s head of policy, said: “It is now imperative that ministers act quickly to ensure key activities, such as elephant rides and cruel circus-type shows involving primates, bears, dolphins and others, become offences under the new law.”
Katheryn Wise, wildlife campaign manager at World Animal Protection, added: “It sends a strong message to travel companies that wild animals suffering for tourist entertainment is simply not acceptable. It is clear that we should no longer export cruelty abroad for profit.
“We also urge the secretary of state to recognise the lifelong suffering of dolphins kept in captivity by including captive dolphin entertainment.”
Picture by Denys.Kutsevalov/Shutterstock