Petition · past parliament
Reconsider the exclusion of animal sentience from the (EU) Withdrawal Bill.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
MP submitted amendment clause (NC30) to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, seeking to transfer EU Protocol on animal sentience into UK law, continuing recognition of animals as sentient beings in law. The amendment was rejected 313 to 295. Animals include wildlife, captive animals, livestock and pets
On 21st November 2017 MP Caroline Lucas submitted the amendment which sought to transfer the EU Protocol 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 after Brexit.
BVA Senior Vice-President Gudrun Ravetz calls for clarity on "how the provisions in Article 13 will be enshrined in UK law to ensure we do not fall short of the high standards we expect as a nation of animal lovers.”
BVA Senior Vice-President Gudrun Ravetz calls for clarity on "how the provisions in Article 13 will be enshrined in UK law to ensure we do not fall short of the high standards we expect as a nation of animal lovers.”
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 22 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.