Petition · past parliament
Revoke the vote that states animals 'do not have sentience'
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
As part of the bill for the withdrawal from the EU, MPs voted that animals do not feel pain or emotion. Not only is it proven that they do, this is a huge step back in animal welfare rights in our country. It is a full scale emergency for wildlife and all animals. This urgently needs to be revoked.
Last week, MPs voted on the transfer of a clause from the Lisbon Treaty (NC 30) into UK law. A majority of 18 MPs voted against the clause, so it has not been transferred into U.K. law. The clause protected all animals who aren't pets. It gave them an identity and recognised that they feel pain and emotion - just like humans. This is scientifically proven to be true. But now animals can be tested on and abused freely as their capacity of feeling pain and fear is no longer recognised in U.K. law.
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.