The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill - Now Law

ROYAL Assent has been granted by the King for the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill, and will now it will make this Law. The Bill has passed through all Commons and Lords stages without any amendments or opposition, which is unique for any animal law and has immediately received Royal Assent the same day from King Charles.

Duncan McNair - CEO of award winning charity Save The Asian Elephants who devised and has driven the Bill says:- "Save The Asian Elephants and the millions who have supported our campaign hope the passing into law of the landmark Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill will prove a momentous day for animals everywhere. The measures, resolutely implemented and enforced, will help protect endangered and vulnerable species across the world from extreme exploitation, harm and death in tourism. They will also save many lives of humans too, turned upon by maddened elephants and other creatures provoked by torture. Save The Asian Elephants is hugely appreciative of all who have supported our campaign for these changes, of our Government, our Parliament across the party divide, the charity sector and the public. All must now set our hand to starting the transition from brutal and dangerous practices to ethical sanctuaries and wildlife reserves. Britain can take pride in this world-first law. Now we must encourage the world to follow suit whilst time remains for so many beleaguered species, our brothers and sisters in nature."

1 of the most important animal-related bills ever in the UK, protecting millions of endangered animals worldwide is a necessity because of extreme brutality to many species (often endangered) in modern tourism.

With Asian elephants this starts with:- "pajan" (breaking of the spirits) …. snatching baby elephants illegally from the wild, isolating and starving, into crushing cages (kraals) then severe stabbing, ripping and beating till they are terrified into submission for easy use in tourism.

STAE has identified to date 1,212 UK based travel companies advertising nearly 300 brutal overseas elephant venues alone.

Elephants, primates, big cats, bears, dolphins and marines, exotic birds, horses, donkeys and camels; all and more; can be helped back from cruel abuse and often from the brink of extinction now.

Duncan adds:- "Our House of Lords and King Charles has backed this historic measure to protect endless endangered and vulnerable species from extreme violation and death in abusive tourism across the world. Now Law a wondrous new vista of opportunity falls open for the safeguarding of the most beautiful and most beleaguered of the world's creatures. The aims and wider potential are momentous for this Law. It is a world 1st for our nation and a template for all nations that harbour a ruthless trade in abusive animal tourism. Parliament, Government, animal welfare advocates, everyone who treasures this wondrous inheritance of the animal kingdom, will continue to work together to realise the opportunities this Law presents. We must harness our efforts to start turning back the many decades of degradation and destruction just 1 species; ours; has visited on so many others. This important Law provides the means of striking back to depose those who would ravage the precious and vulnerable creatures with whom we share this planet. They have been exploited till the last penny of profit has been squeezed from them in blood and pain. Yet they are our brothers and sisters."

AVOIDABLE falls in the home can be reduced up to 69% with the right information and support in place, that's according to the launch of a new report released by Trent and Dove Housing Association and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The report analyses a pioneering joint project between the 2 organisations that investigated the incidence and causes of avoidable falls among housing associations tenants and empowered them with the tools and support to implement personal prevention measures. This was achieved through educational sessions for customers, staff and community groups, and home visits to help people identify and address hazards.

161 customers received a home visit from Trent and Dove's customer health and safety advisor (CHSA) between September 2022 and May 2023. These were to houses, general-needs flats, bungalows, and sheltered scheme flats. 55% of customers visited had had a fall in the 12 months before their home visit, more than the NICE annual national averages. 60% were reliant on a mobility aid including:- sticks, scooters, walkers, and crutches.

During visits, the CHSA conducted fall focused home safety checks introduced tenants to RoSPA's Fall Fighter material and given tailored home safety advice.

After the visit, 90% said they knew more about fall prevention, 91% felt safer at home, 74 per cent took action to avoid a fall at home and 73% felt less likely to have a fall at home. 69% of those in the pilot study experienced a reduction in avoidable falls.

Jules Robinson, Fall Prevention Lead at RoSPA and former Trent and Dove employee, said:- "There are approximately 1,500 housing associations in the UK with a reach of 4.4 million households, so we urge all of those to act and as a starting point, implement fall RoSPA's Fall Fighters which is free. While housing associations can understand the benefits of putting fall prevention at the heart of their strategies, it can seem like a costly exercise. But there is a strong business case to do so - by assessing tenant needs, they may be able to transition to a smaller, more suitable home, and by receiving lifestyle and safety advice, they're better prepared to look after themselves and the property."

Anna Hickman, Head of Health and Safety at Trent and Dove, said:- "We are buoyed by our research that shows that we can make a difference to tenants' lives by reducing avoidable falls through taking relatively simple measures to ensure they feel safe and confident in their own homes. Until now there has been relatively little data for those in the housing sector about falls in the home, so we hope our work paves the way for other housing associations that are passionate about saving and improving lives."

To explore falls related resources and learn more about RoSPA's Fall Fighter training, please see:- RoSPA.Com.