Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and takes the welfare of our pets, animals and livestock very seriously. The SNP are committed to protecting the welfare of animals and will continue to legislate to improve the welfare of animals.
The SNP Programme for Government 2019/20 commits the Scottish Government to creating new legislation to further protect animals and wildlife.
Maximum animal welfare sentences for causing unnecessary suffering and activities around animal fighting will increase to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. This will bring Scotland in line with the rest of UK.
Meanwhile the SNP have established an Animal Welfare Commission in Scotland which will work to ensure that animal welfare considerations remain at the centre of all future policy making by the Scottish Government.
With EU law providing many protections for animals the SNP will continue to press the UK Government at Westminster to ensure there is no backsliding in this area after the Brexit transition period.
