Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Animal Welfare

Thursday 6 July 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitments to animal welfare include six measures delivered through primary legislation and four through secondary legislation.
  • Government progress includes the cessation of live animal exports and existing legislation against fur imports.
  • Consultation and preparation for legislation to stop keeping primates as pets and ban dogs with cropped ears are underway.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question follows a period of multiple Secretaries of State and delays in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. There are ongoing concerns about fur imports, puppy smuggling, foie gras consumption, and live animal exports.

Question

What steps she is taking to bring forward legislative proposals to improve animal welfare after 760 days have passed without progress on banning animal fur imports, tackling illegal puppy and kitten smuggling, or banning foie gras?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The Government are committed to continuing manifesto commitments through an action plan for animal welfare. Six measures have been delivered through primary legislation and four through secondary legislation. Three private Members' Bills, including the Shark Fins Act 2023, have received Royal Assent. We will support delivery of manifesto measures during Parliament's remaining sessions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issues of banning fur imports and foie gras were not directly addressed.

How: Parallel Universe Rhetoric

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Q2 Steven Bonnar
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill has been delayed and there is criticism over the government's commitment to animal welfare, with concerns about the import of fur and illegal puppy/kitten smuggling.

Question

How long must animals suffer due to delays on banning animal fur imports, tackling illegal puppy and kitten smuggling, or banning foie gras? The previous Secretary of State said the Bill did not progress because of a lack of resolve. When will these issues be prioritised?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The hon. Gentleman's perspective differs from reality; there is no doubt progress has been made on animal welfare. Since 2021, live exports have ceased and legislation against fur imports exists already.

Not addressed: None of the specific issues raised were addressed directly.

How: Dismissive Language, Changing Subject

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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There is a bill to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears and keeping primates as pets. The Secretary of State has agreed progress can be made through targeted measures.

Question

What progress has been made on banning the import of dogs with cropped ears and keeping primates as pets? The Secretary of State mentioned hare coursing legislation but did not specify progress on these two issues.

Answer from Therese Coffey

Secondary legislation will stop people keeping primates as pets, requiring formal consultation and preparation of legislation. On banning dogs with cropped ears, we intend to take forward measures in individual issues during the next parliamentary session.

Answered
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Q4 Alex Sobel Labour (Co-op) Leeds Central and Headingley
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Lord Goldsmith resigned from the government over delays in implementing promised actions such as ending live exports, banning primates as pets, shark fin imports, hunting trophies from vulnerable species. The Secretary of State is asked if she agrees with Lord Goldsmith's critique.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree with Lord Goldsmith's critique that before taking office, the Prime Minister assured party members via him that he would continue implementing the action plan on animal welfare but abandoned these commitments?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Of course not. We are getting on with legislation, such as secondary legislation to stop people keeping primates as pets and preparing single-issue Bills.

Not addressed: The specific critique about abandoning commitments was not addressed directly.

How: Dismissive Language, Changing Subject

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