Non-departmental public bodies such as the Animal Procedures Committee (APC) and the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) play a vital role in animal welfare by providing independent and expert advice to government.
Up to the end of March 2009, there were 405 advisory NDPBs in the UK which is 53 less than in 2005. In the same year, 14 advisory NDPBs were identified across four UK government departments and one Scottish government department as having an animal welfare or/and health link. Defra had the most (13) with just four having an animal welfare specialist as a member. One other government department – the Home Office – also has an animal welfare specialist.
Whilst little has changed over the past five years with regard to advisory NDPBs and animal welfare, the government has signalled its intention to cut a number of these bodies in the near future.
The RSPCA is concerned that there will be even less animal welfare specialists on relevant NDPBs in the future.
For more information, read the 'NDPBs' animal welfare indicator.
