Yes, as the_borderer pointed out badgers are not perhaps the best example. Neither are bats, owls, etc. since developers hate them and lobby incessantly to minimise any protective measures intended to preserve habitats in the face of the desire to put up some more over-priced battery-homes.
I think the fundamental point on this one is one of the points made by Caroline Lucas. If the animal sentience bit is covered by UK law already or it’s going to be included in other legislation, then there is no good reason for not including one line in the Repeal Bill to confirm that.
The only reason to waste parliamentary time preventing that from happening is that those opposing it think it is not already covered and do not intend for it to be covered by any future legislation.
If it were a non-issue, one would simply say one thinks it’s already covered but in the interest of moving the bill on, put the amendment to a vote and get on with something else.
