London, 21st June 2023
Today (Wednesday 21st June) an Opposition Day Debate has taken place in the House of Commons, which called for the return of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. This was organised following a statement by the Minister for Farming and Rural Affairs the Rt Hon. Mark Spencer MP on 25th May which confirmed the Government has made the decision to discontinue the passage of the Bill.
A number of Conservative MPs contributed to the debate and expressed their strong support for delivering the measures included in the Kept Animals Bill, including Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Patrons Henry Smith MP, Anna Firth MP and Theresa Villiers MP. Theresa Villiers spoke on the particular importance of ending live exports, stating “the time has come for us to put an end to this cruel trade”. Other Conservative MPs who demonstrated their commitment to the components of the Bill included Louie French MP, Robbie Moore MP, Peter Gibson MP, Selaine Saxby MP, Andrea Jenkyns MP, and Iain Duncan Smith MP.
Andrea Jenkyns MP is currently leading a petition to see the Bill returned to Parliament which currently has more than 11,000 signatures, and she has also sent a letter to the Prime Minister on the Bill.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is calling for the measures included in the Bill, including an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter, to be delivered as soon as possible. The Government recently announced that it would uphold these measures through alternative legislative vehicles.
Secretary of State for Defra Dr Thérèse Coffey concluded the debate by stating: “Clearly there is strong support for the Government’s ambitions on animal welfare right across the House, and I can assure the House that this Conservative Government and Conservative MPs are fully committed to delivering our Manifesto commitments.”
The Opposition Motion did not pass; with 183 votes for and 256 against.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Today’s debate demonstrated clear support from every Party in the House of Commons for the animal welfare measures in the Kept Animals Bill to be delivered. We understand that the components of the Bill will be upheld through alternative legislative vehicles and look forward to their swift delivery.
“Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has long campaigned for an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter and is calling on the Government to urgently set time aside for this Bill to pass. When farmed animals are exported for fattening and slaughter they endure long, gruelling journeys for days or even weeks at a time – only to arrive at destinations countries which may not share our regard for animal welfare. Only legislation can prevent this cruel practice from continuing in future.”
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
