Write to your MP

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you as a constituent to urge you to call for a Government Consultation on the use of pig farrowing crates in the UK.

Sows can spend 22% of their adult breeding life (given sows produce an average of 2 litters per year) confined in a crate which severely restricts movement. They are unable to perform many natural behaviours, such as interacting with their piglets, rooting and nest building, or even to turn around. Many will endure painful wounds and sores on their legs, feet and shoulders, caused by slipping or lying on the hard, slatted floors.

Several countries, including Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, have outlawed this practice, but still around 200,000 sows in the UK suffer in these systems every year (60% of UK sows)

There are alternatives to farrowing crates, many of which are designed by British farmers and engineers, and are already used commercially in the UK and elsewhere. This includes the PigSAFE system developed in the UK and partly funded by Defra. In well designed and well managed free farrowing pens, piglet mortality can be as low or even lower than in farrowing crates.

I urge you to support the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s call for an end to farrowing crates.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Your name

Your Address.

Dear (name of MP ),

I am writing to you on my concerns on the continued practice of live animal exports for slaughter or fattening.

As the UK will soon no longer be bound by the EU’s free trade rules, I ask that you commit to supporting an end to the live export trade for slaughter and fattening which over the years has caused immense suffering to our animals.

Thousands of UK sheep are exported each year on long journeys to France. UK calves are also exported – and travel as far afield as Spain, even though scientific research shows that young calves suffer greatly during long journeys. Long-distance live animal transports can cause immense suffering.

Overcrowding will mean that some cannot lie down at all, while those who do may be injured or trampled to death. Others endure long journeys with legs trapped and injured, or painfully stooping as they are not given sufficient headroom. They can be in transit for days, suffering extremes of temperature and often without sufficient food, water or rest and can be exhausted and dehydrated. Many die as a result.

Animals are transported in both blistering heat and freezing conditions. Water may not be provided throughout these long journeys. In particular, when animals are exported from Europe to countries outside the EU they leave behind them all the legal protection they once received.

The UK banned veal crates, sow stalls and fur farms years ago and it’s now time to end live animal exports for slaughter and fattening. It is unnecessary and deeply cruel to subject weeks old calves and gentle sheep to long stressful journeys to inhumane systems such as veal systems abroad which are banned in the UK and to be taken for slaughter as soon as they arrive. In 2020, UK sheep were exported as far afield as Bulgaria and Hungary. This is appalling and unacceptable. The Government has a manifesto commitment to end excessively long journeys for slaughter and fattening and we urge for action to take place to end this misery for farm animals

I believe animals should be slaughtered as close as possible to their place of birth and live transports to be replaced by a trade in meat. The meat can be exported in chilled conditions on the hook rather than on the hoof.

I urge you as my MP to support the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s campaign to end the live export of animals for slaughter and fattening.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Your name

Your Address.

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent on the continued practice of the use of cages for egg laying birds. I believe that cages for egg-laying birds should end, as the birds have little room to move and are deprived of their natural exercise of foraging and running.

Barren battery cages were banned throughout Europe from January 1st  2012, but ‘enriched’ battery cages are still legally permitted. Enriched cages now have to provide 600cm squared usable space per bird, less than the size of an A4 piece of paper each, and limited facilities for perching, nesting and scratching. They only provide more a small amount of extra space per bird (than compared to battery cages).

The UK has more uncaged hens than some European countries, but millions of hens are reared in cages with little room to move and deprived of their natural behaviours.  Their nest area consists of a plastic sheet hanging down from the top of the cage to provide a more secluded area for egg laying.

Hens often lose a large proportion of their feathers due to damage from the sides of the cage and pecking from other hens. To prevent feather pecking, chicks often have part of their beaks cut off.

Luxembourg has banned the use of enriched cages for laying hens and Austria and Germany are phasing out enriched cages. I want the UK to do the same.

I urge you to support the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s call for an end to cages for egg laying birds.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Your name

Your Address

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you to ask you to support the campaign for clear ‘Method of Production Labelling’ and to include Method of Slaughter’.

Currently, there is no legal requirement to label products with information on how animals farmed for food are reared, with the exception of whole eggs. Mandatory clear labelling allows consumers to make informed choices.

Millions of animals are being farmed for food each year in the UK, and many people have said that good animal welfare is an important consideration for them when shopping – but we believe food labelling is too confusing to allow consumers to make informed choices about which farming systems they want to support – or avoid supporting – when purchasing animal products.

Where method of production labelling exists, as it does for shell eggs it is popular with farmers and with consumers.  Labelling has meant that consumers can identify higher welfare products, “Labels are the only real tool that we consumers have to communicate our preference for higher-welfare products to producers.  Labels empower us to drive standards more effectively and to reward farmers who invest in better farm animal welfare.”

Mandatory method of production labelling of all meat and dairy products is the best way to level the playing field for higher welfare products

We support the British Veterinary Association position on non-stun slaughter. Meat from animals which have not been stunned comes onto the general market but does not have to be labelled. As a result, some consumers are unknowingly buying unstunned meat. We call on the Government for meat to be labelled with method of slaughter so consumers can make an informed choice.

I urge you to support The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s campaign for mandatory method of production and method of slaughter labelling.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes

Your name

Your Address.

Dear (Your MP’s name),

I am writing to you to ask for your support for a ban on the consumption of dog meat in the UK.

I fully appreciate the UK laws and regulations surrounding meat classification and the slaughtering of dogs prohibit its production and consumption in a commercial setting. I also understand that it is illegal to sell dog and cat meat for human consumption and that there is no evidence of people either trading dog or cat meat or indeed eating it in the UK. However, the fact remains, it is still legal for an individual to kill a dog or cat in the UK and to eat it.

I support the campaign to close this loophole in the law. The UK’s leadership in animal welfare is held in very high esteem across the world. If we were to introduce this ban, it would have a tremendously positive effect on the campaigns to ban this horrific practice in countries where it takes place. The recent US ban made huge waves across the world especially as they too don’t have a problem of dog or cat meat eating.

The US has banned the slaughter (i.e. killing) of a dog or cat for human consumption as well as possession of dog and cat meat. That goes for anyone, not just those who are undertaking it commercially. This was made very clear in the recent letters to the Prime Minister from the US Congressmen who brought the law into the US. The recent US regulations therefore go beyond those of the UK. Through this legislation, the US has joined the ranks of Germany, Austria, Taiwan, South Australia and Hong Kong, all of which have bans in place.

There is a strong depth of feeling in Parliament to enact a ban. 22 Conservative MPs supported Giles Watling’s amendment to the Agriculture Bill with additional support from Labour, DUP, SNP and Plaid MPs.

Bill Wiggin MP led a 10 Minute Rule Bill and Jim Shannon MP a Westminster Hall debate in 2019.

The dog meat trade internationally is an exceptionally cruel and outdated practice, resulting in the torment and torture of millions of animals each year. As a nation of animal lovers, and a global leader in animal welfare, we must call out this horrific industry to signal to countries where there is more of a problem, that consuming dog meat should not be tolerated.

It is for these reasons that I urge the Government to deeply consider enacting a ban. As you will have seen from coverage in The Sun and Daily Express it has widespread popular support. Bringing in a ban would be hugely supported and gain little opposition and along with the other excellent laws our Government have been undertaking recently in animal welfare, will help tremendously the UK’s leading international position.

If the UK was to enact a ban on the human consumption of dog meat, it would send a powerful signal that these practices are not acceptable anywhere in the world. The UK’s approach  to animal welfare is recognised the world over, with many countries adopting the Uk’s model when looking to strengthen their animal welfare laws.

Thank you once again for your consideration of this issue and I hope you will add your support for a ban on dog meat consumption in the UK.

Best wishes

Your name

Your Address.

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you as a constituent to urge you to attend and vocally support the Remaining Stages of Henry Smith MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill on 17th March.

Over the last two decades there has been an increase in demand for trophy hunting, including so-called “canned” lion hunts, where lions are bred to be pursued in confined reserves with no chance of escape. According to the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, there remain more than 300 lion “factory farms” whose role it is to breed thousands of lion cubs for this very purpose.

Every year that the UK allows these “trophies” to be imported we are implicitly condoning the actions of those who kill iconic and often endangered species for pleasure. Every year that the UK allows these “trophies” to be imported we are implicitly condoning the actions of those who kill iconic and often endangered species -including rhinos, polar bears and elephants- for pleasure.

I urge you to attend the Remaining Stages of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, and show your support for a ban on trophy hunting imports in the UK. This was an important Conservative Party Manifesto commitment, and one I call on you to support today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Your name

Your Address

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you as a constituent to urge you to write to the Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt MP and ask her to ensure the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is returned to Parliament as soon as possible.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill delivers important Conservative Party Manifesto pledges. Amongst its key components, it will end live exports for fattening and slaughter, tackle puppy smuggling, end keeping primates as pets, take steps to address livestock worrying, and review zoo standards. Many of these measures represent years of progress. For example, the commitment to end live exports for fattening and slaughter has undergone numerous Consultations, debates and evidence taking.

When animals are exported overseas for slaughter and fattening, they suffer greatly during long, gruelling journeys. Overcrowding issues can result in animals unable to lie down and they can suffer extremes of temperature and often without sufficient food, water or rest.

The Kept Animals Bill last had its Committee Stage in Parliament in 2021 and parliamentary time must be found for the Bill to continue its passage to advance animal welfare.

Please could you respond by confirming your support for this important Bill and that you have written to Penny Mordaunt MP to ask her to return Bill urgently to the House of Commons.

Best wishes,

[Your name]

Dear (name of MP),

I am writing to you as a constituent to urge you to attend the Westminster Hall Debate on 9th January at 6pm relating to ending the use of snares in the UK following a Government e-petition that attracted over 102,000 signatures.

It is estimated that a staggering 1.7 million animals are caught in snares in England and Wales alone each year, and there are only four countries in the EU where snaring is still permitted. They cause a variety of welfare issues including asphyxiation owing to panic, animals being predated whilst still alive with no means of escape, and lactating animals being caught meaning that their young die of starvation. Snares indiscriminately trap and causes suffering to wild animals including hedgehogs, owls, domestic cats and dogs. One Defra study even showed that up to 68% of all animals caught are non-target.

In 2021 Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare also committed to launching a Call for Evidence on the use of snares. I urge you to attend this important debate and add your voice to the calls for this cruel practice to be outlawed in the UK.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Your name

Your Address.