Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, has welcomed the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act receiving Royal Assent, marking a major milestone in the UK’s efforts to protect pets from illegal and unethical import practices.
Dr Hudson, a co-sponsor of the Bill and Shadow DEFRA Minister, spoke in strong support of the legislation, originally introduced in the previous Parliament by former Conservative MP Selaine Saxby. The Act aims to crack down on illegal puppy smuggling, prevent the import of heavily pregnant animals, and raise the welfare standards of pets entering the UK.
The legislation introduces robust new measures to tackle the illegal importation of puppies and bans the import of dogs and cats subjected to unlawful mutilations such as ear cropping and declawing. It also enhances protection against public-health risk by increasing the minimum age at which puppies can enter the UK and prohibiting the import of heavily pregnant dogs.
As the first veterinary surgeon elected to the House of Commons since 1884 and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, Dr Hudson has long championed measures to combat puppy smuggling and strengthen safeguards for all imported companion animals, including dogs, cats and ferrets. A committed advocate for animal welfare, he has been a consistent opponent of ear cropping, an illegal practice that causes significant pain and long-term harm, often carried out without anaesthesia and increasingly promoted on social media. Dr Hudson has been a leading voice in calling for tougher protections and stronger enforcement to tackle the growing trade in poorly bred, illegally imported, and exploited animals.
Commenting, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“As a vet, an MP, Shadow DEFRA Minister and, above all, an animal lover, I am delighted to see this vital legislation pass with strong cross-party support.”
“For far too long, unscrupulous smugglers have exploited loopholes and weak checks to profit from the suffering of animals.
“This Act will help shut down those avenues, protect public health, and ensure families are not deceived into taking on pets who have endured awful journeys and unacceptable conditions. The Act will also stop the importation of dogs that have had their ears horrifically cropped, or cats that have been barbarically de-clawed, both illegal and clinically unnecessary ‘procedures’. This is a hugely welcome step forward for animal welfare in our country.”
“I want to pay tribute to the many organisations and professionals who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this point - the British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, including Paula Boyden for her longstanding leadership, Four Paws, Blue Cross, Battersea, the RSPCA, Cats Protection, and so many others. Their expertise, evidence and compassion have been invaluable in shaping this legislation."
