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Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
05 December 2022
Lead MP
Elliot Colburn
Responding Minister
George Eustice
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsUkraineTaxationBusiness & TradeBenefits & WelfareAgriculture & Rural AffairsParliamentary ProcedureLocal Government
Word Count: 19189
Other Contributors: 20
At a Glance
Elliot Colburn raised concerns about animal welfare (kept animals) bill in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the government to urgently find time to progress the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill through Parliament and ensure it receives Royal Assent to become law. He seeks reassurances from the Minister on steps being taken to address concerns raised during consultations and discussions with EU counterparts regarding the protocol's impact on animals.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The lead MP is concerned about the delay in progressing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which has received over 107,000 signatures. He highlights issues such as live animal exports causing dehydration, starvation, and exhaustion; puppy smuggling with nearly 66,000 dogs commercially imported into the UK in 2020 alone; illegal pet trafficking linked to organized crime; outdated zoo regulations needing improvement for conservation efforts; the poor conditions of kept primates due to their complex needs; and livestock worrying resulting in significant financial losses for farmers. The Bill aims to address these issues by introducing a new offence of pet abduction, reforming legislation on livestock worrying, updating the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, and banning the keeping of primates as pets.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Chris Loder thanked Elliot Colburn for presenting the petition and acknowledged his background as the son of a tenant beef farmer. He highlighted the success of his previous Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which increased sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years. Loder also addressed the issue of live export of animals for fattening and slaughter in other countries, citing evidence that UK-raised cows were being slaughtered in Lebanon, Libya, and further afield. He emphasized the importance of controlling our own laws regarding animal welfare post-Brexit and highlighted local cases of animal worrying by dogs leading to the death of sheep and cows.
Will my hon. Friend give way? My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech and is a champion for animal welfare. Does he agree that the measures in the Animal Welfare (Keated Animals) Bill to reduce puppy smuggling would also have a positive effect on online puppy sales, which are the subject of the campaign otherwise known as Reggie's law?
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Highlighted the issue of puppy smuggling, noting over 2,000 smuggled dogs taken into care by Dogs Trust in West Lothian during the pandemic. Urged the Government to address delays that help criminals.
Craig Mackinlay
Con
Castle Point
The issue of Brexit affecting live animal exports was highlighted, specifically mentioning a 2012 incident in Ramsgate where over 40 animals had to be euthanised due to poor vessel conditions. The speaker called for the Government to address this legacy issue urgently.
Congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate and asked if he agrees that delays are needed due to the strength of feeling regarding animal exports for slaughter.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Croydon North
My hon. Friend mentioned cross-party support; there is lots of it. However, does he accept that under the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill, cattle in Australia can be moved for 48 hours without rest, and there is mulesing of sheep? Also, lots of pregnant dogs now come across from Ireland, are given a caesarean, and are then sent back; they keep going back and forth. There are all sorts of problems, particularly with border control, under the existing regime that give rise to animal cruelty. The speaker criticised the rushed Australian trade deals as a result of Brexit, which could lead to importing badly treated animals and abuse of pregnant dogs. He argued that being part of the single market would prevent such issues.
Supported the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill and urged the Government to ensure the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill comes back to Report stage at the earliest opportunity.
Addressed concerns over the Northern Ireland protocol impacting access to pharmaceutical products for animals, urging urgent action to address this threat.
James Daly
Con
Harrow East
The MP endorsed the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill and suggested it should be broadened to include domestic pets. He highlighted issues concerning microchipped cats being disposed of without scanning their chips for potential owners, advocating for legislation requiring local authorities to scan deceased cats' microchips before disposal. Additionally, he discussed his private Member's Bill, which includes provisions to prevent the euthanasia of healthy dogs unless absolutely necessary.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
The MP highlighted the importance of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, noting its delay despite cross-party support. He mentioned constituents' concerns about the Bill's status and its implications for animal welfare issues such as pet imports from abroad. The MP also discussed Chester Zoo's conservation efforts and the need for parliamentary scrutiny in future changes to zoo standards.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay and South Devon
Welcomed the chance to highlight the importance of bringing back the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, highlighting the Government's manifesto commitments on animal welfare. Mentioned improvements in legislation like the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, Ivory Act 2018, and measures against hare coursing. Discussed the Bill's aim to reduce long-distance transport of animals for slaughter and end low-welfare pet movement into Great Britain. Also highlighted provisions for primates, livestock worrying, zoo licensing, and conservation efforts.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Hamilton West
The UK prioritises animal welfare and there is cross-party support for the Bill. The hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston discussed Chester Zoo's importance in ensuring excellent welfare conditions for zoo animals. The former Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Camborne and Redruth, highlighted the need to introduce the Bill despite time constraints. The hon. Member for West Dorset emphasized the Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross and the need to address puppy smuggling. The hon. Member for Bury North mentioned laws like Tuk's law to ensure microchips are scanned and prevent dogs from being inadvertently put down. Dr Hudson discussed the harrowing evidence of pregnant dogs smuggled into the country. Kevin Foster highlighted his work on animal welfare, including the Ivory Bill.
Battersea
My hon. Friend is making an excellent opening to his speech. Does he agree that the Animal Welfare (Keated Animals) Bill will be world-leading in the protection it provides against cruelty to animals? He mentioned cross-party support; does he agree that it is important to note how much support the Bill has, and that any continued delay by this Government is not acceptable?
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
As a veterinary surgeon, Neil Hudson supports the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill and urges the Government to press ahead with it. He highlights concerns about puppy smuggling, pet theft, movement of animals for slaughter, and biosecurity issues. He calls for increased age restrictions on transported animals, limits on the number of pets per vehicle, and stricter import rules on mutilated dogs.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Clarified that Conservative Members do not intend to amend the Bill with items the Government opposes, urging the Minister to consider this clarification in his response.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Welcomed the consensual nature of the debate, urging the Minister to bring forward the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. Noted that more than 100,000 people had signed a petition in support of the bill, including over 400 from Newport West constituency. Proposed several amendments aimed at strengthening the bill's provisions, such as microchipping cats and regulating hunting dogs.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Mr Wilson highlighted the widespread support for the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill and expressed frustration over its sudden halt in progress. He noted that despite cross-party, public, and sectoral backing, the legislation has been stalled at a critical time when good will is needed. Mr Wilson emphasised the benefits of Brexit allowing independent animal welfare laws to be established without EU restrictions, such as banning live animal exports. He also mentioned farmers' concerns about sheep worrying by dogs and families suffering from puppy smuggling, advocating for better protection against these issues.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Welcomed the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill and emphasised that dogs are more than property, with 97% of households viewing pets as family members. Mentioned concerns about puppy smuggling, citing a £3 million trade and instances where heavily pregnant mothers are imported for illegal breeding. Called for stricter checks to limit abuse of the pet travel scheme.
Tracey Crouch
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Thanked the Petitions Committee for introducing this debate, noting that many constituents have signed the petition. Urged the Government to bring forward the Bill as soon as possible. It is infuriating that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, supported by all animal welfare charities, is being delayed while other Bills are progressing quickly. This includes the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill which has concerns from these charities.
Virginia Crosbie
Constitutional Unionist
Ynys Môn
Supported the Bill's goals of banning live exports and cracking down on puppy smuggling, highlighting its significance for constituents in Ynys Môn. Emphasised the need to address livestock worrying.
Government Response
George Eustice
Government Response
Responded to Selaine Saxby's intervention about Gizmo's law, suggesting that it could be addressed through non-legislative means such as making animal scanning a condition for local authority grants received from the Department. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg, as well as that of Mr Hollobone. The Government take the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill very seriously and are keen to move forward with it despite pressures from other matters not in the manifesto such as the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. No specific date can be announced for progress on the Bill, but parliamentary time will allow for its advancement. The minister acknowledges the support from stakeholders and highlights significant progress made in animal welfare reforms through various Acts and initiatives, including the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. He also mentions backing Bills to increase penalties for animal cruelty offences, introduce penalty notices for animal welfare offences, ban glue traps, and support private Member's Bills like one on shark fins. The minister notes the importance of progressing together in a way that ensures delivery of important legislation amidst limited parliamentary time.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.