Petition · past parliament
Debate again the status of animals as sentient beings in the EU withdrawal bill.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
I feel the decision of the UK Government to exclude the status of animals as sentient beings, in the EU withdrawal bill is wrong, and I would urge them to review this decision.
I would therefore implore the Honorable Members of Parliament to use their conscience and reconsider this.
I would therefore implore the Honorable Members of Parliament to use their conscience and reconsider this.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas had submitted an amendment clause (NC30) to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which sought to transfer the EU Protocol on animal sentience set out in Article 13 of Title II of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, so animals continue to be recognised as sentient beings under domestic law. A very narrow majority of 18 Members of Parliament rejected it.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 21 Nov 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Nov 2017 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
24 Nov 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.