In this week’s episode we talk to Duncan McNair, CEO of Save the Asian Elephants (‘STAE’) about elephants, and the impact that unethical elephant tourist attractions have on the welfare of the individual elephant and on the elephant population. Duncan discusses proposals for law reform that would see a ban on the marketing of certain tourist attractions in Asia involving elephants. 

In this week’s episode we talk to Duncan McNair, CEO of Save the Asian Elephants (‘STAE’) about elephants, and the impact that unethical elephant tourist attractions have on the welfare of the individual elephant and on the elephant population. Duncan discusses proposals for law reform that would see a ban on the marketing of certain tourist attractions in Asia involving elephants.

How the law can help save Asian elephants

Dr Joe Wills talks about a case brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on behalf of an elephant named Happy. The NhRP is seeking a writ of habeas corpus to secure Happy's freedom, so that she can be transferred to an elephant sanctuary.  The case has recently been heard by New York's highest court and raises fundamental issues about legal personhood.

The elephant in the court

Dr Angus Nurse is the author of a Government commissioned report: 'Investigation of measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible ownership amongst dog owners with dog control issues in the UK.' 2021. Dr Nurse discusses the report and its implications for dog control policy, law and enforcement. 

Dr Angus Nurse is the author of a Government commissioned report: 'Investigation of measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible ownership amongst dog owners with dog control issues in the UK.' 2021. Dr Nurse discusses the report and its implications for dog control policy, law and enforcement.

Dogs: reducing attacks and promoting responsible ownership

David Thomas, lawyer at Advocates for Animals and Kerry Postlewhite of Cruelty Free International, discuss the use of animals for cosmetics testing. We learn about the legal landscape and current challenges.

Cosmetics testing on animals

David Blatte, author of 'The Vegan Imperative, Why We Must Give Up Meat and Why We Don't' talks about the book, compassion and his career as an animal law attorney.  

David Blatte, author of 'The Vegan Imperative, Why We Must Give Up Meat and Why We Don't' talks about the book, compassion and his career as an animal law attorney.

The Vegan Imperative

We hear from lawyers and the petitioner involved in a public law challenge in 2021 against the Scottish Government's beaver killing policy. Learn about the legal issues involved and the implications of the decision for Scotland's beaver population and beyond. 

We hear from lawyers and the petitioner involved in a public law challenge in 2021 against the Scottish Government's beaver killing policy. Learn about the legal issues involved and the implications of the decision for Scotland's beaver population and beyond.

LEGAL VICTORY FOR SCOTTISH BEAVERS

Sir David Amess

We speak to David Bowles, RSPCA Head of Public Affairs, about some of the causes supported by the late Sir David Amess who was MP for Southend West and a consistent champion of animal welfare throughout his long career. Sir David Amess MP was tragically killed earlier this year, although his legacy lives on.   Join us in remembering a great advocate in Parliament against animal suffering who worked for decades alongside the RSPCA and other animal advocacy groups to enshrine animal welfare standards in law.

We speak to David Bowles, RSPCA Head of Public Affairs, about some of the causes supported by the late Sir David Amess who was MP for Southend West and a consistent champion of animal welfare throughout his long career. Sir David Amess MP was tragically killed earlier this year, although his legacy lives on.   Join us in remembering a great advocate in Parliament against animal suffering who worked for decades alongside the RSPCA and other animal advocacy groups to enshrine animal welfare standards in law.

Sir David Amess MP and his legacy for animals

An independent review of sentience commissioned by the UK Government and conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has concluded there is 'strong scientific evidence decapod crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, prawns, &amp; crayfish) and cephalopod molluscs ( such as such as octopuses, squid and cuttlefish) are sentient.' We discuss the report and it's findings with Claire Howard, Director of Crustacean Compassion, an award-winning animal welfare organisation dedicated to the humane treatment of decapod crustaceans. 

An independent review of sentience commissioned by the UK Government and conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has concluded there is 'strong scientific evidence decapod crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, prawns, &amp; crayfish) and cephalopod molluscs ( such as such as octopuses, squid and cuttlefish) are sentient.' We discuss the report and it's findings with Claire Howard, Director of Crustacean Compassion, an award-winning animal welfare organisation dedicated to the humane treatment of decapod crustaceans.

Can lobsters, octopus and like species experience sensations such as pain?

Rob Espin, solicitor and co-chair of A-Law's Wildlife Law Working Group, discusses problems around the use of rodent glue traps and outlines proposed new laws designed to restrict their use. 

Rob Espin, solicitor and co-chair of A-Law's Wildlife Law Working Group, discusses problems around the use of rodent glue traps and outlines proposed new laws designed to restrict their use.

Glue traps - problems and legal solutions

We discuss the puppy trade and dog theft in Ireland with Dr. Stephanie O’ Flynn, a Lecturer in Law in the Department of Law and Criminal Justice at Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Stephanie has a particular interest in the legal treatment of dogs, and in this episode she talks about some of the challenges posed by low welfare breeding, dog theft and the pandemic. 

We discuss the puppy trade and dog theft in Ireland with Dr. Stephanie O’ Flynn, a Lecturer in Law in the Department of Law and Criminal Justice at Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Stephanie has a particular interest in the legal treatment of dogs, and in this episode she talks about some of the challenges posed by low welfare breeding, dog theft and the pandemic.

A legal perspective on puppy farming and dog theft in Ireland

The UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) brings you this regular podcast with a new episode every two weeks. We will be Talking Animal Law with campaigners, lawyers, scientists and animal welfare experts. We will bring you news about the law relating to animals, campaigns for law reform and developments in animal welfare science. We will also be discussing topical issues and ethical theories about the treatment of animals with leading experts in the fields of law, ethics and science.

With a consultation into the Commercial and Non-Commercial Movement of Pets into Great Britain due to close on 16 Oct 2021, we ask three campaigners (Marc Abraham, Sarah Dixon and Jordan Shelley) at the forefront of the fight against 'puppy farms' and ear cropping, respectively, for their views on import restrictions for dogs with cropped ears or docked tails or under 6 months of age. We ask specifically, should the government exempt animal rescue and re-homing organisations from these restrictions? 

With a consultation into the Commercial and Non-Commercial Movement of Pets into Great Britain due to close on 16 Oct 2021, we ask three campaigners (Marc Abraham, Sarah Dixon and Jordan Shelley) at the forefront of the fight against 'puppy farms' and ear cropping, respectively, for their views on import restrictions for dogs with cropped ears or docked tails or under 6 months of age. We ask specifically, should the government exempt animal rescue and re-homing organisations from these restrictions?

We explore proposed restrictions on the import of dogs into Great Britain

In this episode, we discuss the case for a specific crime of pet abduction. Should the criminal justice system treat the theft of companion animals in the same way as the theft of inanimate property or does the law need reform? We talk to John Cooper QC, who has been advising the pet theft campaign. 

In this episode, we discuss the case for a specific crime of pet abduction. Should the criminal justice system treat the theft of companion animals in the same way as the theft of inanimate property or does the law need reform? We talk to John Cooper QC, who has been advising the pet theft campaign.

Should pet abduction be a specific offence?

Warning: some listeners may find content distressing Dr Joe Wills from Leicester Law School, discusses the decision in Centraal Israëlitisch Consistorie van België and Others. In this case, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Member States could require pre-stunning of animals before slaughter, without infringing fundamental human rights. There has to be a balance between promoting animal welfare and respecting the rights of those in religious communities to practice their beliefs. 

Warning: some listeners may find content distressing Dr Joe Wills from Leicester Law School, discusses the decision in Centraal Israëlitisch Consistorie van België and Others. In this case, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Member States could require pre-stunning of animals before slaughter, without infringing fundamental human rights. There has to be a balance between promoting animal welfare and respecting the rights of those in religious communities to practice their beliefs.

Non stun slaughter and religious freedoms: finding a balance

Warning: adult themes, not suitable for children 'Where animals are abused, people are at risk and where people are abused, animals are at risk.' That is the central message of this episode, in which we consider what can be learnt about domestic abuse and coercive control when we take the time to consider the animal within the home. What does this tell us and how can we protect vulnerable family members? 

Warning: adult themes, not suitable for children 'Where animals are abused, people are at risk and where people are abused, animals are at risk.' That is the central message of this episode, in which we consider what can be learnt about domestic abuse and coercive control when we take the time to consider the animal within the home. What does this tell us and how can we protect vulnerable family members?

Domestic abuse - are animals a missing link?

In this special edition, Peter Egan, actor, animal advocate and ambassador for the charity Nowzad, talks about the organisation behind the headlines, including the brave team who at the time of broadcast are facing danger from Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are also with other animal rescues in the region, including Kabul Small Animal Rescue and with all people at heightened risk in this region.  The title is taken from Nowzad's leader, Pen Farthing who in one of his early tweets, asked people to pray for a miracle. To donate go to https://www.nowzad.com/donate

In this special edition, Peter Egan, actor, animal advocate and ambassador for the charity Nowzad, talks about the organisation behind the headlines, including the brave team who at the time of broadcast are facing danger from Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are also with other animal rescues in the region, including Kabul Small Animal Rescue and with all people at heightened risk in this region.  The title is taken from Nowzad's leader, Pen Farthing who in one of his early tweets, asked people to pray for a miracle. To donate go to <a href="https://www.nowzad.com/donate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nowzad.com/donate</a>

Nowzad 'Praying for a miracle'

Our legal experts discuss two legal cases that made the headlines in 2020.  Friends of Antique Cultural Treasures Ltd v DEFRA [2020] EWCA Civ 649, concerning a challenge to the legality of the Ivory Act 2018, and R (National Farmers Union &amp; Anor) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2020] EWHC 1192 (Admin) challenging a decision not to grant licences to kill badgers in furtherance of its policy for control of bovine TB.  Barristers, Frances Allen and Alan Bates explain what judicial review is, how it was used in each of these respective cases and what lesson can be learnt from these legal challenges. 

Our legal experts discuss two legal cases that made the headlines in 2020.  Friends of Antique Cultural Treasures Ltd v DEFRA [2020] EWCA Civ 649, concerning a challenge to the legality of the Ivory Act 2018, and R (National Farmers Union &amp; Anor) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2020] EWHC 1192 (Admin) challenging a decision not to grant licences to kill badgers in furtherance of its policy for control of bovine TB.  Barristers, Frances Allen and Alan Bates explain what judicial review is, how it was used in each of these respective cases and what lesson can be learnt from these legal challenges.

Legal challenges to government decisions on badger culling and the Ivory Act

Peter Stevenson

In this first episode, I am talking animal law with Peter Stevenson,  Chief Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). Peter is a qualified lawyer who has worked for nearly three decades in animal welfare. During this time, he played a leading role in winning the EU bans on veal crates, battery cages and sow stalls as well as a new status for animals in EU law as sentient beings. In October 2020, Peter was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, in recognition of his tremendous contributions in the field of animal welfare. I talk to Peter talks about his career, the highs and lows, successes and obstacles and what he sees as the challenges ahead.

In this first episode, I am talking animal law with Peter Stevenson,  Chief Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). Peter is a qualified lawyer who has worked for nearly three decades in animal welfare. During this time, he played a leading role in winning the EU bans on veal crates, battery cages and sow stalls as well as a new status for animals in EU law as sentient beings. In October 2020, Peter was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, in recognition of his tremendous contributions in the field of animal welfare. I talk to Peter talks about his career, the highs and lows, successes and obstacles and what he sees as the challenges ahead.

REFLECTING ON A CAREER IN ANIMAL LAW WITH PETER STEVENSON OBE

This episode introduces you to our brand new podcast, Talking Animal Law. In this episode we tell the reader who we are and why we are launching this legal podcast focusing exclusively on animals. 

This episode introduces you to our brand new podcast, Talking Animal Law. In this episode we tell the reader who we are and why we are launching this legal podcast focusing exclusively on animals.

Pilot episode - Talking Animal Law podcast

Talking Animal Law

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OwlTail

Best Parenting Podcasts

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