PAC says: The European Convention for the Protection Of Pet Animals.

The PAC has long believed that the UK should be signatories to the Convention. A number of years ago we recognised the advantages that may flow to the benefit of animal welfare from such a course of action, and we endeavoured to persuade the Minister that our signature would be the correct way forward. We were not successful in our attempt at that time.

The PAC believes that the UK generally complies with the aims of the Convention. For example, we do have legislation on Boarding, Breeding, Pet Shops, & Riding Establishments, and the general moral obligations are clearly supportable.

Our view is that this document is an excellent introduction to improving animal welfare standards. It is shameful that a country like ours, with its reputation for animal care, cannot be seen to commit to something which we largely agree with, and for which we have already introduced legislation in many areas. However, we are not alone in this. Of the forty one member states in the Council of Europe, only thirteen have ratified the convention since it opened for signature in 1987.

However, changes need to be made to some of the phraseology since in general terms the document is littered with vague terms which are open to interpretation. Moreover, one or two issues are regarded as serious enough to dissuade officials from seeing the advantages of us becoming signatories.

Despite the minor shortcomings of the parent document, this represents an outline of clear commitment from signatories. For further information about the convention, visit the Council of Europe’s website at – www.coe.int. Alternatively, the Secretariat would be delighted to send you more information on request.