The Welsh Conservatives are today calling for the RSPCA to be
given statutory powers to help prevent animal cruelty.
The RSPCA has said the powers would allow inspectors to access
and rescue animals quicker.
The powers, which would be granted under the Animal Welfare Act
2006, would give RSPCA Inspectors the ability to independently
acquire a warrant, as well as have the power to enter
outbuildings on private land and automatically seize and remove
animals from situations that negatively impact their welfare.
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs said handing the powers to the
RSPCA would be “a reasonable and radical step”.
2024 is the RSPCA's 200th anniversary, and
providing the RSPCA with these powers would bring it in line with
its sister organisations, including the Scottish Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty for Animals and the Irish Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for the RSPCA
in Wales, said the change would “better equip our officers to
undertake their highly-important duties.”
Launching the policy, MS, Shadow Minister for Rural
Affairs, said:
“Wales is a nation of animal-lovers, and we are famed around
the world for our farm produce such as lamb.
“So it's all the more important that we ensure animals, in
homes and on farms, are protected from cruelty.
“This policy is a reasonable and radical step to build on the
work that has already done to continue to prevent animal cruelty
in Wales.”
Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager (Wales)
of the RSPCA, said:
"We are delighted to see the Welsh Conservatives' ongoing
support for granting our inspectors statutory powers under the
Animal Welfare Act.
“Such action would better equip our officers to undertake
their highly-important duties, while helping us reach the animals
who need us most more quickly.
“With our frontline rescuers so busy right across the
country, we look forward to working with Members of the Senedd
from all parties - and the Welsh Government - to hopefully
progress these proposals in our 200th anniversary year, as we
work to build a better world for every kind."
MS, Leader of the Welsh
Conservatives, added:
“This announcement builds on our pledge to be a voice for all
of Wales by ensuring that we can continue to prevent animal
cruelty and maintain our fantastic reputation for animal
management.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
-
is available for interviews
remotely or in Brecon.
- The RSPCA have called for
their inspectors to be granted statutory powers under sections
10, 18, 19 and 23 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Section 10: To serve improvement notices.
Section 18: Powers in relation to an animal in distress.
Section 19: Power of entry for section 19 purposes.
Section 23: Entry and search under warrant in connection with
offences.
- The Welsh Conservatives have pledged: The NHS Wales deserves,
to get Wales moving, to bring forward a new deal for young
families, to ensure security in retirement in Wales, to be a
voice for all of Wales, and no ifs, no buts, no more powers.
