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Consultation responses

Sometimes the Government has a clear idea of the legislation it wants to create.

Other times it seeks more information from vested interests - people in industry, academics, the general public, scientists – in fact, anyone with an opinion. This is called a consultation and the Government will ask a series of questions about a particular subject and invite responses. The Government will then look at all of the responses and see if new information comes to light and if there is a consensus around specific areas. They will consider all of this information when preparing the final Bill for discussion before Parliament.

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee Inquiry into tail shortening.

June 21, 2017

OneKind's submission to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reford Committee on the draft Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2017.  

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee Inquiry into tail shortening.

The decision to introduce tail docking

June 20, 2017

The decision to reintroduce tail-docking in Scotland.

The decision to introduce tail docking

Review Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act aug 2016

October 05, 2016

These comments on the proposed review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 were submitted to the Scottish Government in August 2016. We make the case for stronger sentencing of animal cruelty crimes, new secondary legislation to make the Act more effective and greater effort and support for enforcement at the Local Authority level.

Review Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act aug 2016

Operation of the Protection of Wild Mammals submission by OneKind

October 04, 2016

OneKind’s submission to the review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 by Lord Bonomy for the Scottish Government. We make the case for the Act to be strengthened and loopholes to be closed so that fox hunting is banned in Scotland for good.

Operation of the Protection of Wild Mammals submission by OneKind

Scottish Government consultation on tail docking of working dogs

April 29, 2016

OneKind has responded to the Scottish Government consultation on a proposed introduction to permit tail docking of working Spaniels and Hunt Point Retrievers.

Scottish Government consultation on tail docking of working dogs

Licensing of animal establishments in England

April 03, 2016

OneKind has responded to the UK government consultation on Licensing of animal establishments in England.

Licensing of animal establishments in England

E-Collars consultation response

February 02, 2016

OneKind has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on the use of electronic training devices.

E-Collars consultation response

Scottish Government consultation on wild animals in travelling circuses

May 12, 2015

OneKind has responded to a Scottish Government consultation on wild animals in travelling circuses.

Scottish Government consultation on wild animals in travelling circuses

Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Questionnaire

December 08, 2014

Wildlife crime is widespread, premeditated and generally carried out for gain. The perpetrators are likely to be well aware of the law and the available penalties, and are apparently not deterred by these.

Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Questionnaire

Wildlife crime convictions and SSPCA

August 28, 2014

We are pleased that the Scottish Government is considering allocating powers to the Scottish SPCA in connection with the investigation of wildlife crime, so that its Inspectors will be able to enter land (other than dwellings or lockfast premises), to search for, search or examine things if they suspect that evidence will be found in or on that thing, to seize evidence, and to enter other premises on the authority of a warrant.

Wildlife crime convictions and SSPCA

Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership in Scotland: Microchipping and other measures

March 05, 2014

The OneKind solution is that all dog owners should be subject to a free licensing scheme designed to promote responsible dog ownership.  The licence would follow the model of existing “general licences” which allow people to carry out activities, while placing conditions on the conduct of the activity and providing sanctions for breaches.

Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership in Scotland: Microchipping and other measures

Letter - Greek Animal Welfare Law 4039/2012

February 03, 2014

Letter from OneKind concerning information received about a possible change to Articles 12 and 13 of the Animal Welfare Law 4039/2012, banning animal performances in circuses, zoos, variety shows and other establishments.

Letter - Greek Animal Welfare Law 4039/2012

Taking and killing of wild birds in Scotland consultation 2013

November 13, 2012

We welcome the proposal to improve the format and presentation of the Licences. These aspects have improved since the last substantive review in 2007 but we think that still more could be done to improve the accessibility, and therefore the appropriate use and understanding, of the Licences.

Taking and killing of wild birds in Scotland consultation 2013

Implementation in Scotland of EU slaughter regulations

October 25, 2012

We are generally opposed to derogation from the protections provided by the Regulation and in particular to the authorisation of killing methods that are not currently permitted under Annex 1 to Chapter 1 of Regulation 1099/2009.

Implementation in Scotland of EU slaughter regulations

Household product testing

December 30, 2011

OneKind welcomes the Government’s commitment to ban the testing of household products on animals and supports its implementation by adding a condition to relevant project licences using the licensing powers provided under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. OneKind believes however that if the household products ban is to offer meaningful additional protection for animals, it must be applied as widely as possible.

Household product testing

East Ayrshire Council - wild animal circuses

December 15, 2011

OneKind is pleased that East Ayrshire Council is considering extending its policy on the use of Council land by circuses using animals, and grateful for the opportunity to submit views on this matter.

East Ayrshire Council - wild animal circuses

Transposition of European Directive on the protection of animals used in scientific experiments

September 15, 2011

OneKind welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Home Office consultation on options for the transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes into UK legislation.

Transposition of European Directive on the protection of animals used in scientific experiments

Consultation on Seal Haul-Out Sites

June 28, 2011

Harassment of seals is an animal welfare issue. Actions such as approaching a seal or group of seals within (say) 25m, running, shouting, shooting in the air with shotguns, chasing a mother away from her pup, chasing seals by boat, driving a boat towards seals at a haul-out site or landing on a haul-out – can lead to pups being separated from their mothers, aggression between mothers trying to return to their pups and considerable harmful disruption to colonies.

Consultation on Seal Haul-Out Sites

Red tractor Farm Assurance Standards Consultation

February 24, 2011

OneKind has responded to a review of technical standards by the UK organisation Assured Food Standards (AFS) that develops and promotes the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme.

Red tractor Farm Assurance Standards Consultation

Defra Consultation on a Badger Control Policy

November 11, 2010

OneKind would like to state at the outset that we are equally concerned about the welfare of badgers and cattle. We believe that the Government’s approach to tackling bovine TB must be science-based and must take full account of the welfare of both of these species.

Defra Consultation on a Badger Control Policy

Risk factors for tail injuries in dogs in GB

June 28, 2010

We welcome the scientific study by the University of Bristol and the Royal Veterinary College on the risk factors for tail injuries in dogs, and the clarification it provides about these issues.

Risk factors for tail injuries in dogs in GB

Draft Code of Practice on the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purpose

May 25, 2010

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the draft code of practice on the welfare of gamebirds reared for sporting purposes. Our responses to key questions in the consultation are set out in the document.

Draft Code of Practice on the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purpose

Draft Code of Practice on the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purpose

May 25, 2010

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the draft code of practice on the welfare of gamebirds reared for sporting purposes. Our responses to key questions in the consultation are set out in the document.

Draft Code of Practice on the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purpose

Consultation on castration and tail docking of lambs

March 22, 2010

We believe that routine painful mutilations such as castration and tail-docking of food animals are out of step with modern standards of respect for animal welfare and would like to see the Scottish Government, the industry and food retailers taking urgent measures to phase them out entirely.

Consultation on castration and tail docking of lambs

Beak trimming of laying hens

March 22, 2010

The large majority of commercial laying hens are still routinely beak-trimmed in all types of husbandry systems. In about 90% of cases, the infra-red (IR)-beam method is used, which has superseded the hot-blade method of beak-trimming in most hatcheries.

Beak trimming of laying hens

Consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses

March 09, 2010

We believe that a complete ban on wild animals in travelling circuses (both terms as defined in the Impact Assessment) is extremely desirable and indeed, overdue.

Consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses

Consultation on the hot branding of equines in Scotland

January 05, 2010

We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to the consultation on the hot branding of equines in Scotland.

Consultation on the hot branding of equines in Scotland

Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

September 04, 2009

We welcome the proposals for new measures to modernise certain parts of wildlife legislation and is pleased to submit the following response. We wish to draw attention to our response to Question 64 on the creation of a new offence of tampering with a legally set snare.

Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

Follow-up to Natural Justice

August 07, 2009

We receive approximately 300 specific reports and complaints from the public each year about the welfare of animals. Approximately 50% of these concern wild animals. We carry out a limited number of investigations resulting from these calls, as well as in support of our campaigns to improve the welfare of wild animals.

Follow-up to Natural Justice

Protecting Scotland’s red squirrels

August 03, 2009

The strategy under consultation from Scottish Natural Heritage only concerns grey squirrel control, which is not the only action required to protect red squirrels. We are also concerned by the emphasis on killing grey squirrels as the primary means of controlling these animals, and we believe that alternatives such as habitat management should be given the greatest priority.

Protecting Scotland’s red squirrels

Welfare of racing greyhounds

July 01, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to respond to DEFRA’s consultation on proposals for welfare of racing greyhounds regulations. Although we would ultimately like to see an end to this exploitation of animals, until that time we welcome measures to improve the welfare of the animals involved.

Welfare of racing greyhounds

Red Squirrel Strongholds

June 26, 2009

We agree with the rationale and justification for strongholds. We oppose the killing (‘controlling’) of grey squirrels in an attempt to help conserve red squirrels. Thus we support the general idea of strongholds but we do not agree with grey squirrels being killed in or around them.

Red Squirrel Strongholds

A long term strategy for farm animal welfare in Great Britain

June 12, 2009

Farmed animal welfare in the UK is still much less than adequate, let alone optimal, and some sectors or practices remain completely unacceptable.

A long term strategy for farm animal welfare in Great Britain

Marine (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

June 11, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to submit comments to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on the Marine (Scotland) Bill. Our submission focuses on Part 5 of the Bill, referring to conservation of seals.

Marine (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Mutilations and Environmental Enrichment for Growing Pigs

April 21, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to submit comments on the welfare implications of mutilations for growing pigs and the effect of environmental enrichment.

Mutilations and Environmental Enrichment for Growing Pigs

Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing

April 07, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing.

Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing

Broiler Chickens legislation

April 06, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed Regulations for the welfare of broiler chickens. We are strongly opposed to the inclusion of the option for producers to stock at levels above 33kg/m2.

Broiler Chickens legislation

DEFRA Consultation on Proposed Legislation and Codes for Broiler Chickens

April 01, 2009

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed Regulations and revised Code for the welfare of broiler chickens. We are strongly opposed to the inclusion of the option for producers to stock up to a maximum of 42kg/m2.

DEFRA Consultation on Proposed Legislation and Codes for Broiler Chickens

Consultation on the Future for Food in Scotland

April 25, 2008

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on a national food policy for Scotland. We support the view that Scotland must aim to guarantee a future where food is wholesome, healthy and produced in an environmentally- and animal-welfare-friendly way.

Consultation on the Future for Food in Scotland

Consultation for a proposed Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

April 14, 2008

We welcome the proposal to modernise the law on dangerous dogs and finds much to support in the consultation paper. We welcome the proposal to modernise the law on dangerous dogs and finds much to support in the consultation paper.

Consultation for a proposed Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

Renewing the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture

March 14, 2008

The sentient animals used in aquaculture are the industry’s primary resource - and good animal welfare standards should be absolutely fundamental. Animal welfare must occupy at least as high a priority in aquaculture as it does in the farming of terrestrial animals.

Renewing the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture

Consultation on Draft Strategy for Wild Deer in Scotland

February 01, 2008

We believe a duty of care for wild deer should be laid down in legislation. A code has an important role to play in explaining the practical implications of the legislation although such a code should be seen as supplementing legislation, not as a substitute for it.

Consultation on Draft Strategy for Wild Deer in Scotland

Consultation on the use, sale, distribution and possession of electronic training aids

November 12, 2007

We are not in favour of any training method or device which depends on punishment rather than positive reinforcement, and we would advise against the use of any aversive technique, on ethical grounds.

Consultation on the use, sale, distribution and possession of electronic training aids

Amendments to the Scottish Executive General Licenses under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

April 06, 2007

We understand the rationale for arranging licences so that they are defined in terms of function rather than method, and we think that the grouping within the numerical list is logical.

Amendments to the Scottish Executive General Licenses under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Consultation on proposed prohibited procedures (exemptions) (Scotland) regulations 2007

December 01, 2006

We are grateful for the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations. We support the premise of Section 20 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 that it should be an offence to mutilate an animal, that is, “to interfere with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of an animal”.

Consultation on proposed prohibited procedures (exemptions) (Scotland) regulations 2007

Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill

October 17, 2006

It is now widely recognised by scientists that fish have the capacity for suffering, although it may be different in degree and kind from the human experience.

Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill

Use of Gas as a killing method for birds outside of a slaughter house

July 05, 2006

We welcome the consultation on the proposed amendment to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, to provide for the use of gas as a method of killing large numbers of birds under certain specific conditions.

Use of Gas as a killing method for birds outside of a slaughter house

Consultation on Schools (Nutrition) Bill

July 03, 2006

We welcome many of the proposals on nutrition and health promotion in Scottish schools, in particular the many references to fruit, vegetables and cereals. It is of course essential that children are provided with all the essential nutrients which make up a healthy diet and it is imperative that the idea of healthy eating should be instigated in schools.

Consultation on Schools (Nutrition) Bill

Close seasons - a consultation by the Deer Commission for Scotland

February 01, 2005

We believe that the central principle in this debate should be that the culling of deer should be kept to an absolute minimum. Wherever possible, alternatives to culling should be used both to control the size of the deer population and as a means of avoiding damage by deer to woodlands and agricultural production of crops or livestock.

Close seasons - a consultation by the Deer Commission for Scotland

Consultation on proposals to revise existing animal welfare legislation

June 30, 2004

We warmly welcome the proposal to enact a new Animal Welfare Bill. We hope this will result in considerably strengthened animal welfare legislation. In general, we welcome the definition proposed in the Consultation Document. We are, however extremely concerned about the possibility, mentioned at a meeting with SEERAD, that crustaceans may be removed from the definition.

Consultation on proposals to revise existing animal welfare legislation

Saving Scotland's Foxes with Hessilhead

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