Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act to make provision for an Animal Sentience Committee with functions relating to the effect of government policy on the welfare of animals as sentient beings.
Citation2022 c. 22
Introduced byGeorge Eustice (Commons)
Lord Benyon (Lords)
Territorial extent 
  • England and Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
Dates
Royal assent28 April 2022
Commencement22 May 2023
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 (c. 22) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was introduced to Parliament by the Government of the United Kingdom at the 2021 State Opening of Parliament. The act recognises animal sentience in law for the first time. The scope of the legislation includes all vertebrates and some invertebrates such as octopuses and lobsters.