Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border secured Government commitment to cracking down on puppy smuggling ahead of a Ministerial Statement outlining changes to the animal welfare legislative programme.
Dr Hudson quizzed Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on whether the Government was committed to stamping out the abhorrent puppy trade that has continued to boom since the pandemic. Thanks to Dr Hudson's questioning, the Environment Secretary confirmed her department is committed to bringing forward the appropriate animal welfare legislation to Parliament.
Government will now progress with bans on the import of underage, heavily pregnant and mutilated dogs, as part of a single-issue Bill. These measures were initially outlined in the Kept Animals Bill, but due to the vast range of issues covered in the Bill it was prone to becoming overburdened by amendments. Breaking the Kept Animals Bill into smaller single issues will help the Government deliver on its continual improvements to animal welfare more quickly and efficiently.
The parliamentary intervention follows Dr Hudson's visit to a Dogs Trust rescue centre on Monday with an EFRA Committee delegation. Full details about the visit and the wider issue can be found here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/veterinary-mp-dr-neil-hudson-fact-finding-mission-scourge-puppy-and-dog-smuggling
In Parliament, Dr Neil Hudson asked the question:
"This week, our EFRA Committee visited a Dogs Trust rescue centre as part of our inquiry on pet welfare and abuse. Each year, huge numbers of puppies, heavily pregnant dogs and dogs that have had their ears horrifically cropped are smuggled into the UK.
"Can my Right Honourable Friend reassure me and the House that the Government is committed to stamping out these horrific practices by bringing back the appropriate animal welfare legislation?"
You can view the full recording here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/ac77e64e-b9dc-4a82-910c-1ba4b9ccbf4f#player-tabs
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, added:
"The abhorrent puppy and dog smuggling trade continues to thrive since the pandemic, and I am hearing of devastating cases of underage puppies, heavily pregnant dogs and dogs that have had their ears brutally cropped being imported in large numbers into the UK. These unscrupulous smugglers have zero regard for the animals they are importing, with serious implications for the dogs’ health and welfare and the UK’s biosecurity with reports of zoonotic diseases like Brucella canis coming in. Clearly this has to stop.
"This week’s statement is categorically not the end of our Conservative Government's campaign to remain global leaders in animal health and welfare and the Government continues to have my full support as it progresses on the animal welfare priorities of the British public.
"I have had full assurances from the Secretary of State and her Ministerial team that the Government is fully committed to delivering key manifesto pledges on many crucial animal health and welfare issues such as puppy smuggling, primate owning reform and pet theft. Dividing up a large piece of legislation like this is a practical measure to make sure policy can be delivered faster and more efficiently in the remainder of this parliament. Delivering manifesto promises on animal welfare is something that I as the only vet in the House of Commons am passionate about. Animal welfare is something that unites us in humanity across the House and I will keep going and work with the Government to help improve the lives of animals in our care."
