Petition · past parliament
Repeal the decision to exclude animal sentience in the EU Withdrawal Bill
Rejected
14 signatures
What the petition asks
Under EU law all animals are considered sentient. This law protects the welfare of animals. MP C.Lucas submitted an amendment (NC30) to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, to transfer EU Protocol on animal sentience into UK law, so animals would be recognised as sentient beings legally. This was rejected.
Not allowing this amendment could see animal welfare go backwards instead of forwards allowing unethical exploitation of animals for hunting, battery farming, inhumane slaughtering for food, research and experimentation.
It is felt that the 2006 Animal Welfare Act is an insufficient replacement and does not include animal sentience.
It is felt that the 2006 Animal Welfare Act is an insufficient replacement and does not include animal sentience.
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
14
Status
Rejected
Rejected
24 Nov 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.