Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border and the only veterinary surgeon in the House of Commons, championed the Conservative Government’s record on raising animal welfare, and secured commitment to end the horror of puppy smuggling, during an Opposition Day Debate on the Kept Animals Bill.
The Government recently announced that rather than introduce measures in one Bill (the Kept Animals Bill), they would introduce individual types of protections as Single-issue Bills. This move will allow the Government to raise animal welfare standards faster and more efficiently in the remainder of the Parliament.
In that debate, Dr Hudson received a clear commitment from the Government that legislation to eliminate puppy smuggling, the importation of heavily pregnant dogs and dogs that have experienced horrific practices such as ear cropping, would be introduced as soon as possible, a commitment originally within the Kept Animals Bill. He also affirmed that it was this Government that recognised animal sentience in law for the first time ever, through the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act. The Act established an Animal Sentience Committee which must report on the impact of proposed legislation on animal welfare.
During the debate, Dr Hudson said:
[To DEFRA Minister Trudy Harrison MP] “As we've heard, countless numbers of puppies, heavily pregnant dogs, dogs that have had their ears horrifically cropped, and thousands of horses potentially illegally exported to Europe for slaughter. Can my Honourable Friend agree with me, that the measures that the Government is going to bring forward in legislation will absolutely and unequivocally stamp out these horrific practices?”
[To Shadow DEFRA Secretary Jim McMahon MP] “Animal welfare unites us in humanity, and across this House. Does the Honourable Gentleman agree with me that the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act, by creating the Animal Sentience Committee, whereby Governments of all political persuasions have to be cognisant and pay due regard to animal welfare, is a huge benefit to animal health and welfare.”
Speaking after the debate, Dr Hudson commented:
“High animal welfare standards are a commitment on which I do not believe we can compromise. This Government has made real progress in delivering on its 2019 manifesto commitments, from establishing the Animal Sentience Committee to strengthening sentencing for animal cruelty.”
“Now that the Government has taken the practical step to introduce animal welfare legislation individually rather than through the Kept Animals Bill, I want to ensure that this opportunity to protect our animals and cement the UK’s status as a world leader in animal welfare, is embraced as soon as possible. This debate saw a clear recommitment from this Government to raising animal welfare standards.”
“As the only veterinary surgeon in the House of Commons, it is one of my highest priorities that the Government makes progress on delivering manifesto promises on animal health and welfare. 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.”
Dr Hudson has vociferously used his veterinary expertise to champion animal welfare reform since his election.
He has consistently sought to secure an end to the cruel plight of puppy smuggling in the House and launched an Inquiry as a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee into this issue and others, Pet Welfare and Abuse. As part of this Inquiry, Dr Hudson instigated a parliamentary visitation to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home last month on a fact-finding mission into this issue, which you can see more about here: https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/veterinary-mp-dr-neil-hudson-instigates-parliamentary-delegation-battersea-dogs-cats-home
Dr Hudson also regularly works with leading animal welfare organisations on the Parliamentary estate, including Battersea Cats and Dogs, the Dogs Trust and RSPCA to discuss how Dr Hudson can further support animal welfare reforms.
Dr Hudson’s recent work on animal health and welfare including puppy smuggling:
Pet Welfare and Abuse Inquiry: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7283/pet-welfare-and-abuse/publications/
