As the only vet in the House of Commons, Dr Neil Hudson MP hosted a well-attended event with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to spread awareness among his parliamentary colleagues on a wide range of animal welfare issues facing the nation.
Dr Hudson opened with a wide-ranging speech to fellow legislations on a range of issues from unscrupulous puppy smugglers taking advantage of legal loopholes to bypass animal welfare regulations to the need to suitably fund the Animal and Plant Health Agency amid a national Avian Influenza outbreak.
He was followed by the keynote speaker, BVA President and fellow vet Malcolm Morley, who thanked Dr Hudson for hosting the event and for his continued and vocal support for animal welfare in Parliament. Dr Morley reinforced the need for cross-party collaboration on animal welfare issues such as the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill which is due to enter Parliament this legislative cycle and will address some of the most pressing animal health and welfare issues of our time such as reviewing zoo standards, ban the keeping of primates as pets and introducing mandatory, reliable pre-import testing for dogs with unknown health statuses.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"As the only vet in the House of Commons I see it as my duty to make sure animal health and welfare issues are heard at the highest levels of Government.
"It's crucial that MPs and experts are given the space to meet and discuss pressing challenges facing the nation. From bringing an end to the cruel practices of puppy smuggling, to tackling pet theft to making sure veterinary medicines remain readily available in Northern Ireland the conversations being had around the room were really heartening and I look forward to making progress on a wide range of issues."
Those also in attendance included the Charlotte Pace, the President of the British Veterinary Nursing Association; BVA Junior Vice President, Anna Judson; Veterinary Public Health Association President, Collin Willson, as well as representatives from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Peers and Members of Parliament.
