Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

This Act creates a legal duty for government ministers to consider animal welfare when making policy decisions. It officially recognises that animals with backbones (vertebrates) can feel pain and emotions. The government must set up an Animal Sentience Committee made of experts who will examine new policies and report on how they might affect animal welfare. The committee can look at policies across all government departments, from farming rules to transport regulations. Ministers must respond publicly to the committee's reports. The Act extends existing animal welfare protections by making sure animal feelings are considered in all relevant government decisions, not just those specifically about animal welfare.

• 1Legally recognises that vertebrate animals can feel pain and emotions
• 2Creates a duty for ministers to consider animal welfare in policy decisions
• 3Sets up an expert Animal Sentience Committee to review government policies
• 4Committee examines how policies across all departments might affect animals
• 5Ministers must publicly respond to committee reports on animal welfare impacts