Response to Government position on Animal Sentience Committee report
on welfare law enforcement
This statement is issued jointly by the Centre for Animals and Social Justice (CASJ) and The
Schweitzer Institute, who are working together to advance effective animal welfare
governance in the UK.
In February 2025, the Animal Sentience Committee (ASC)—established under the Animal
Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022—published a report examining the government’s administration
of animal law enforcement. The ASC concluded that the current system is fundamentally
flawed, citing inconsistencies in offence detection, a complex legislative environment,
inadequate resources, poor inter-agency coordination, variable training of welfare inspectors,
and a lack of transparency.
On 16 June 2025, the government published its response to the ASC’s recommendations.
While we welcome the government’s stated commitment to improving animal welfare, we are
disappointed by its refusal to consider the ASC’s recommendation for a central coordinating
body. Such a reform is essential to address the systemic weaknesses identified by the ASC.
The government claims to be developing an ‘overarching approach’ to animal welfare, which
we support in principle. However, we believe that establishing a central enforcement body is a
necessary step to achieve this goal. The current fragmented system lacks effective
enforcement powers, resulting in inconsistent standards, regional disparities, and persistent
welfare issues—particularly in industrial animal agriculture. Public demand for stronger
animal welfare protections is clear, yet policy has not kept pace.
The CASJ and The Schweitzer Institute advocate for the creation of an independent Animal
Protection Commission (APC) with statutory powers to coordinate enforcement, set
consistent standards, and hold public authorities to account, among other responsibilities.
An APC would unify oversight, translate ethical principles into practical policy, and help
restore public trust. While the government cites cost and complexity as barriers, we argue
that the ongoing costs of welfare failures—ethical, economic, and in terms of public
confidence—are far greater.
We are ready to work with government, stakeholders, and other organisations such as the
RSPCA to develop and implement this reform. We urge the government to move beyond
incremental changes and engage seriously with those calling for comprehensive, effective
animal welfare governance.
(Further information: dan.lyons@casj.org.uk ; director@schweitzer.institute )