Tenants should have the right to own pets, Labour says
2 min read
Labour has unveiled new plans that would strengthen tenants' rights to pet ownership in a bid to become the ‘party of animal welfare’.
Under the proposals landlords could not ban animals in their properties unless they could provide evidence they would be a nuisance.
The current rules allow renters to seek permission to keep pets but do not give them an automatic right.
The plans are part of a raft measures unveiled by the party in a 50-point draft policy document entitled Animal Welfare for the Many not the Few.
It also contains pledges to end the badger cull, clamp down on illegal fox hunting, expand affordable vet care for owners on low incomes, ban foie gras imports and end the export of live animals for slaughter.
The Conservatives have said the document shows that Labour is "belatedly playing catch-up" with their own recent announcements on animal welfare.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has recently revealed the Government’s intention to increase maximum sentences for serious animal cruelty and crackdown on illegal puppy farming.
However, Labour insisted it has always been "the party of animal welfare".
Shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said: "With new trade deals on the horizon and the UK no longer subject to EU-wide rules on animal welfare, we want to ensure there is a comprehensive legislative agenda in place so that the UK becomes a world leader on animal rights.
"Our vision is one where no animal is made to suffer unnecessary pain and we continue to drive up standards and practice in line with the most recent advances and understanding."
Conservative MP Steve Double said: "From introducing mandatory CCTV into slaughter houses to increasing the maximum sentence for animal cruelty ten-fold, the Conservatives will continue taking the action needed to ensure animals receive the proper protection they deserve."
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