Many thanks to those who have contacted me about animal welfare classes.
I believe it is important for children to learn about animal welfare. It is encouraging that schools have the freedom to teach topics such as animal welfare and responsible pet ownership as part of subjects such as Personal, Social, Health and Economic education and Citizenship. I am also pleased that maintained schools, academies and free schools are already required to teach primary pupils about the basic needs of animals for survival including appropriate habitat, food, water and air as part of the science curriculum. Schools should also teach pupils how to take care of animals taken from their local environment and the need to return them safely after study.
Beyond the classroom we should be proud that the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. I am pleased that the Prime Minister believes animal welfare is a priority and is keen to set ambitious goals. I welcome the Government’s commitment to introducing legislation which will further improve animal welfare, for example by increasing maximum sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years' imprisonment. I am also pleased to report that a new law passed last year will ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
