Government consults on enforcement mechanisms for animal health and welfare offences

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launched a public consultation on 25 May on introducing penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences in England. The proposed changes to the approach to animal health and welfare offences would see those who commit such offences facing fines of up to £5,000. The government also announced the appointment of the first ever Animal Sentience Committee, which will assess how effective government policy is in regards to animal welfare. The consultation is open for feedback until 20 July 2023.