Well it has been a crazy few months, the pandemic really
threw things out of sync for me as I have had to steer my business around the
rocky outcrops of the COVID sea, and adjust to life teaching in an actual college in Oxford, rather than the
private work I had been doing for years. What with that, my PhD work in human
rights, and my dabbling in animal rights/welfare, I have had to neglect writing
updates for this site. I shall do better.
The dust has now settled following the “debate” for my
petition, Replace BSL with a new Statutory Framework. Whilst the fight was
always going to be a tough one, there was a little glimmer of hope having
spoken with Elliott Colburn MP (he was the one who introduced it). Sadly, and I
believe with the sole aim of silencing the campaign, the debate was listed with
just over a week’s notice (most MPs don’t get through emails that quickly so
would have been unaware of my representations or any emails from those who
signed the petition). Only the required attendees were there, i.e. Elliott
Colburn on behalf of the Petitions Committee, a spokesperson for the opposition
and a spokesperson for DEFRA.
Clearly there was going to be no meaningful discussion. Then
again all meaningful discussions previously have failed to get anywhere. The
ludicrous issue is, the alternatives to repeal were not even discussed. As
Elliott said, they could be effected with secondary legislation, and take no
time from the legislative schedule. When the dust has settled a bit more, I
will make representations to Lord Goldsmith as appropriate.
So where else do we go from here? You might be interested in
Anita’s new petition so do check that out https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/592813.
For my part, I am interested in the long anticipated Middlesex University
report, which is being peer reviewed. Until I have had sight of that, I feel I should
hold my tongue. There are only so many things that can be done in our time on
this planet, and so I want to know the Government’s next move before doing anything that may turn out to be
a waste of time. Victoria Prentis (speaking for DEFRA) was a little cryptic in
places (although I think we can take for granted that little will change) and
sometimes it is impossible to know what is just around the corner.
Once the report is out, another petition may be on the cards
but we must also remain mindful that there is no obligation for Parliament to
hold a debate on a petition. One of the reasons they refuse to hold a debate is
that one has already been held recently.
For more info on the meeting I had with the Petitions
Committee, please have a listen to the podcast I present with Hannah B, https://anchor.fm/gavin-ridley.
Well, I must leave further discussion for a new blog entry,
so as not to bombard you on this revival. However, I think it worth giving you
a sneak preview: there is a new academic journal, literally just born: The
British Journal of Canine Science (sorry all those who love the others of our
animal friends, something else may be appropriate in the future). The journal
is recruiting volunteers for the editorial board, focusing on canine science
topics ranging from the evolution of the dog to dog law. Interested parties
should email info@britishjournalofcaninescience.co.uk.
One last thing, please do check out the revamped website for
the Abused Pet Refuge Project (www.abusedpetrefuge.com).
Next time I will make more effort to get the vegan recipes
back on with some plant based food reviews, and will start to look over all the
different petitions that are now circulating relating to animal welfare. We
will also be looking at some great fund raising ventures being undertaken by
Dog Desk Action.
Look after each other, human and non-human animals alike.
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