London, 2nd February 2024
Today (Friday 2nd February) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons led by former Secretary of State for Defra Dr Thérèse Coffey MP. This follows the First Reading which took place on 11th December 2023.
The Bill will strengthen the law regarding the offence of livestock worrying, including changing what constitutes an offence and provide increased powers for investigation of suspected offences. It will deliver part of Defra’s 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which pledges to “ensure effective powers are available to tackle ‘livestock worrying’ – knowing the trauma that attacks on livestock can inflict.” You can read more about the Bill here.
Patron Chris Loder MP has spoken out about “the real need for action against the suffering of animals as a result of careless or negligent dog owners.” Previously Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie also led a similar Bill to tackle the danger livestock worrying poses for farmed animals.
The Bill will enter its Committee Stage in due course.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “We are pleased Dr Thérèse Coffey MP’s Bill to tackle livestock worrying passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons today. This legislation recognises the profound impact livestock worrying has on the livelihoods of farmers and the welfare of our farm animals. It will deliver a key part of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, and we look forward to seeing it progress in due course.”
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)