| The Fisheries & Angling Conservation Trust (FACT) is delighted that the Animal Welfare Bill, published last Friday, specifically excludes fishing from its provisions. Clause 53 of the Bill states: “Nothing in this Act applies in relation to anything which occurs in the normal course of fishing”, and in the explanatory notes it is stated: “The term ‘fishing’ should be understood as applying to ordinary activities of fishermen and anglers, and also the ordinary activities of those who own and run stocked ponds in allowing fishing activities to take place on their ponds.” These provisions vindicate the intense lobbying undertaken by FACT members on behalf of angling during the preparation of the Bill, including the presentation of detailed oral evidence before the House of Commons Animal Welfare Select Committee. The outcome is a common sense approach to angling and clearly signifies the Government’s intention that nothing in the Bill will jeopardise the social, economic and environmental benefits derived from the sport. FACT has noted that the enabling nature of the Bill will mean that it will need to closely monitor any secondary legislation to ensure angling remains safe from the possibility of unnecessary legal regulation in future. FISHINGmagic Notes The Fisheries & Angling Conservation Trust (FACT) is a company limited by guarantee that was formed In January 2005 to protect and promote the interests of angling and recreational fisheries in he UK. FACT encompasses the work undertaken hitherto by the National Angling Alliance (NAA), the Moran Committee, and the Joint Angling Governing Bodies (JAGB). Its subscribing members are:- Anglers Conservation Association (ACA) |
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