New UK Legislation Updates: Livestock Protection, Bus Services, and More
Several significant legislative updates have been introduced in the UK covering livestock protection, public transport, consumer measures, renters’ rights, and cemetery regulations.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act now extends its protections to alpacas and llamas, in addition to existing coverage for goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry. The legislation imposes unlimited fines on irresponsible dog walkers to protect these animals. According to Defra, the UK has approximately 45,000 alpacas and 4,000 llamas.
The Bus Services Act facilitates the operation of not-for-profit bus services and empowers local councils to take over routes to safeguard services, particularly for vulnerable rural passengers. It also includes provisions requiring mandatory training for bus drivers and station staff to identify and intervene in antisocial behavior or violence.
Under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, the imperial pint (568ml) is preserved in law, preventing a move to metric-only beverage measures and sustaining the pint’s cultural significance in the UK.
The Renters Rights Act introduces changes requiring landlords to consider pet requests on a case-by-case basis and prohibits unreasonable refusal. Exceptions to this may arise due to space constraints, allergies, or if pets are illegal.
Finally, the General Cemetery Act at Kensal Green Cemetery allows for the reuse of graves or disturbance of remains after 75 years to increase burial space, with a license being mandatory for such disturbances.
