 | Farming Matters! | |
November 5, 2001 |
Animal Health Bill
Countryside Action Network http://www.countrysideaction.net/
News Release C.A.N. to campaign against Animal Health BillThe Countryside Action Network has launched a campaign against the Government's Animal Health Bill, which would give even more power to government officials to enter premises and slaughter animals and force owners to help with the process. The Bill would also give Ministers power to add new diseases to the schedule of diseases for which slaughter may be ordered without reference to Parliament. C.A.N. spokesman, Janet George, said: "This is draconian legislation and we have no doubt that it will be opposed by most farming and animal welfare organisations, as well as those concerned with domestic pets and horses. We have launched an on-line petition at www.petitiononline.com/CAN1/petition.html and are providing a print-off petition form on our web site (www.countrysideaction.net ) We are asking other organisations and web sites, whether farming, equestrian, or pet oriented, to help us promote the online petition and the response to date has been very positive." C.A.N. has provided some suggestions for action that can be taken to let MPs know how unpopular the proposals are. Mrs. George said: "The Government has a large majority, but we would hope that ALL MPs who care about animal welfare would vote according to their conscience. And no-one who cares about animal welfare could support this bill." Email:enquiry@countrysideaction.net Press office: 01299 841 338 or 07876 151 687 Foot and Mouth index - Emergency fund and other farming links |