Why New UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Won’t Be Good for The Environment or Animals

Animal activists have been quite unsure about new UK prime minister Liz Truss’ relationship with animals and what she will do for their welfare. As a former environment secretary, she is aware of animal sentience and its capacity to feel emotion, pain, and suffering. However, many believe that Truss is going to betray animal rights.

Source: Earthling Ed/YouTube

The Independent reported that the new prime minister is reportedly set to ditch reforms that would eliminate the suffering of countless animals. Truss has refused to protect animal welfare in trade. Party insiders believe that she will cut the Kept Animals Bill, which bans primates as pets, helps tackle puppy smuggling, bans live exports, and gives livestock better protection. The Kept Animals Bill was so close to finally becoming a law, and it was due to be debated on the day of the Queen’s funeral many believe that the chances of Truss reviving the bill are slim to none.

The Animals (Abroad) Bill was officially discarded last week. This bill would have stopped people from importing parts of animals killed in trophy hunting. It would have also created a ban on imports of fur and foie gras.

A ban on the live export of animals was promised in the Tory manifesto and the party’s grand animal welfare action plan, so the thought that it could be entirely scrapped is terrifying.

When Truss was the head of the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, she removed 34,000 farm inspections per year and reduced red tape by 80 percent. Because of these, farmers were able to dump waste like pesticides and animal feces into rivers and waterways. Because of this, animal farmers are now the worst polluters in the UK.

As Liz Truss enters her second month as the prime minister, we hope that she will keep her word and keep animal welfare and do what is best for them. Sign this petition to demand that the UK Department for International Trade create standards to protect animal welfare!

Read our coverage on the intersection of Climate change and politics, including why Climate change is a top priority for young voters and the Green New Deal. Cities all over the world, from California to Vietnam, are facing a climate crisis, and millions of people are protesting all over the world. 

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• California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Legislation to Protect Animal Welfare
• Petition: Demand the UK Keep Farmed Animals Safe From Abuse
• Labels Like “Organic” Are Misleading Consumers and Hurting Animals—How To Make Them Mean More

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