Image shows a dog in a cage
Image shows a dog in a cage

I believe that the absence of protections relating to animal abuse content is a real omission from the Online Safety Bill.  In my opinion, the current draft of the Bill is not fit for tackling animal abuse, cruelty and violence, which is all too common online.

Appallingly, the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition has recorded over 13,000 instances of animal cruelty online since March 2021.  In 2022 the RSPCA has published figures showing that the number of reports of animal cruelty posted on social media had nearly doubled from the previous year.

The need to crack down on filming animal abuse grows every day.  We cannot stand by and let the abuse of defenceless animals continue and then have these horrifying acts propagated online.  In particular, I am concerned that the prevalence of cruelty to animals on everyday social media channels has the potential to have a hugely negative impact on children and young people.  I therefore believe that it is necessary for this to be classed as a priority so that we can protect animals, as well as people.

The Online Safety Bill is currently undergoing scrutiny by committee in the House of Lords.  An amendment was tabled by an Opposition Spokesperson that would have added a number of animal welfare offences to the list of priorities.  Unfortunately, following Government opposition, this amendment was withdrawn.

I am aware that the Opposition also tabled similar amendments at the Commons Committee Stage in June 2022 relating to animal cruelty online.  Disappointingly, these were voted down by Conservative MPs.  However, I can assure you that my Opposition colleagues and I will continue to seek to improve the Bill as it proceeds through Parliament.

More widely, I am deeply disappointed that the Government has scrapped the Kept Animals Bill.  This represents a profound setback for animal welfare in the UK and I am worried that it is innocent animals that will suffer the consequences.  I have been pressing the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey, to ensure that the important animal welfare improvements contained in that Bill will still be introduced through other means.

Across the board, I can assure you that I will continue to advocate for stronger protections for animals, including in the Online Safety Bill.

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