Over the last six months a lot has happened that will fundamentally change animal welfare in this country as we know it.

Firstly, the Animal Health Bill which gave the Government power to kill "any animal for any disease", was overturned by the Lords.

It was clear that the Government were far from happy that this happened.

On April 19th, without anyone knowing anything about it, a Statutory Instrument 843 was brought into force which has given the Government the power to kill any TSE susceptible animal. (Bear in mind that this includes goats, sheep, horses, cats, etc).

The subject of TSE's is quite a complicated issue and if anyone wants any more information to explain this to them, please do contact me.

The S.I. is illegal and has taken on powers beyond the Parent Bill, which is primary legislation in this country and way beyond the powers allowed under the EU directives that cover this issue.

Laws are being laid to make every horse and donkey in the entire country carry a passport from December 2003.

Ask DEFRA why they are doing this. It isn't for welfare purposes or to control breeding or gypsy horses. I have a letter from them stating its purpose - to build up a database for all equines for veterinary surveillance and disease control purposes.

Laws are being laid to 'control' sanctuaries and to close many of them. To control the way that you care for your pet. To remove your rights to protect your pet and care for it as you do.

Many people will be aware that in the Brentwood area a week ago there was a case of Aujeskys disease at Cheales slaughteryard.

DEFRA lied about it and played it down, but had they so chosen, they would have had the right to kill all susceptible animals in the area which sadly, would have included dogs and horses. Certainly in an outbreak in the States a while back, all dogs on the street were shot.

PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND YOUR BACK. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. PLEASE START TRYING TO FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF. VERY SOON NOW, THE PET OWNING PUBLIC OF THIS COUNTRY ARE GOING TO BE FACED WITH THE REALISATION THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER PROTECT THEIR PETS. BY THEN THOUGH, IT WILL BE TOO LATE AS ALL THESE LAWS WILL BE IN PLACE.

AND NOW JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT COULD DO BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS, THEY ARE TRYING TO RUSH THROUGH THE ANIMAL HEALTH BILL - KNOWING THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO MOBILISE THEMSELVES AND FIGHT IT.

LOBBY CARDS

Lobby cards are available by contacting the address below. Please send one to your MP and give out to your friends/family.

These cards need to be in Parliament in the next fortnight, so please send yours as soon as possible.

CONTACTS

Animal Legislation Information Group

2 Mellish Way, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 2GU

E-mail - [email protected]

Fax - 01277 356892

Contact Sue on 07973 716318 / 01708 479248 (Essex)

or Chris on 07712 040 234 (Norfolk)

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