London, 15th March 2024
Today (Friday 15th March) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Selaine Saxby MP’s Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This follows the First Reading which took place on 6th December.
The Bill will make provision for and in connection with restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.
Taking action to crack down on the illegal smuggling of dogs and puppies was part of the Conservative Party Manifesto and delivers a key component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare published in 2021.
In February CAWF joined a roundtable discussion hosted by Selaine Saxby MP with MPs including qualified vet Dr Neil Hudson MP, Louie French MP and Kevin Foster MP, as well as organisations including The Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Battersea, The British Veterinary Association (BVA), Cats Protection Trust and more.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation attended a roundtable discussion on the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill
The Committee Stage of the Bill is expected to be announced shortly. CAWF fully welcomes the Bill and looks forward to supporting its passage through Parliament.
Today CAWF Co-Founder Lorraine Platt was quoted in The Daily Express expressing support for Selaine Saxby’s Bill. You can read the piece here.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is delighted to welcome the Second Reading of this Bill led by Conservative MP Selaine Saxby, which will tackle the unlawful dog, cat and ferret smuggling trade. Pregnant dogs and puppies often endure long journeys –many have mutilations such as cropped ears– to be sold in this country as pets. By introducing an increased minimum age of imported puppies, amongst other measures, it is our hope we can successfully tackle this cruel trade once and for all. We look forward to supporting Selaine Saxby as this Bill continues to make its way through Parliament.”
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)