Explain The Animal Welfare Act

1-Explain the animal welfare act and what it covers.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 was enacted in England and Wales in April 2007. It applies to ‘animals’, which are defined in the Act as a vertebrate other than man. It does not currently apply to invertebrates or to foetal or embryonic forms of animals.
The Act brings together and updates legislation to promote the welfare of vertebrate animals, and primarily relates to those that are owned or held captive.
Also, the Act makes owners and keepers of animals responsible for ensuring that the following basic needs of their animals are met:
• A suitable environment.
• Providing a suitable diet.
• To be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.
• To be housed with, or apart from, other animals.
Other offences under the new Animal Welfare Act 2006 include:
• The 'mutilation of animals', such the tails, ear-pricking and claw removal (other than for good medical reasons or an animal undergoing veterinary treatments).
• The minimum age a person can buy an animal has increased from 12 to 16 years of age and prohibits animals to be sell to children under this age.
• Offences related to animal fighting.
In this Act, the penalties may vary, but anyone who is cruel to an animal may be fined up to £20,000 and a maximum jail term of 51 weeks. A police officer or a normal civilian can undertake a prosecution against an animal owner, this may happen up to three years after the illegal act ocurred. They are also allowed to ban a person from owning or keeping pets.
2-Discuss the five freedoms for animals and what they mean for those who care for them.
Animal welfare is considered a science whose research purpose is to study objectively and understand the needs of animals. Animal welfare includes the quality of life of an animal and the needs that define what conditions should be provided to them and must be evaluated from the following perspectives and
In many of the agriculture-based economies, free-range livestock is quite common.
Organic farming
Organic farming aims to meet the animal welfare needs and should, therefore, comply with the Five Freedoms. The first Freedom, from hunger and thirst, is met in any system properly managed to organic standards. The Freedom from thermal and physical discomfort is challenged as organic husbandry systems face more climatic extremes.
However, they provide more ‘control’ to the animal by offering a choice when seeking warmth os a cool place to lie. The Freedom from pain, injury, and disease is the most complicated one. Organic farming virtually bans mutilations such as tail docking, although some are still allowed and practised as the castration. Organic animals are, pre-exposed to wildlife and at risk of contracting infectious diseases. However, it is possible that organically managed animals are more resistant to illness. The Freedom to express normal behaviour is met through environmental enrichment and group housing. The Freedom from fear and distress is supported by extra space. In conclusion, if animal health can be maintained, organic farming is very well placed to provide good animal