Dr Neil Hudson MP - the only vet in the House of Commons - welcomed the Prime Minister's direct commitment to him that animal welfare continues to be a key priority for the Government during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Today (6th September) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly thanked Dr Hudson for “his work and expertise” on animal welfare during a busy parliamentary session.
This came after Dr Hudson urged the Prime Minister to tackle the ongoing abuses to animals that take place such as pet theft, the illegal export of horses for slaughter in Europe; the smuggling of puppies, heavily pregnant dogs and ear cropped dogs.
Having already secured the highest rank on World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index among the G7 - the Conservative Government has committed to going further by implementing a range of single-issue Bills to quickly address persisting issues. This has been, in part, due to Dr Hudson's consistent campaigning alongside animal charities and veterinary associations.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP commented:
"I am really reassured to hear from the Prime Minister himself that animal welfare remains very much a priority for our Conservative Government. We have a record on animal welfare that I am extremely proud of, from the ban of ivory and trophy hunting imports to higher sentences for those guilty of animal cruelty.
“But sadly, as I highlighted during Prime Minister's Questions, the precious animals in our care are still at risk from abuse, including the illegal export of horses for slaughter in Europe and the smuggling of underage puppies and heavily pregnant dogs and dogs brutalised by having their ears cropped.”
“Animal welfare is an issue which unites us in humanity across Parliament and the country, and I will continue to support this Government in order to advance the positive progress it has made.”
Dr Hudson, as a member of the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, instigated an Inquiry on Pet Welfare and Abuse Inquiry, looking at issues of animal welfare that have followed the pandemic including the plight of puppies and ear cropped dogs smuggled into the country. The latest evidence session in this Inquiry took place this week – you can see more here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/07574b3f-e073-45d6-afe0-a2d5a9b2d1e3
Dr Hudson has also consistently used his voice to speak out on these animal welfare concerns in the Chamber, which you can see here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/campaigns/animal-welfare
The full exchange in Parliament:
Dr Neil Hudson MP asked:
“As a nation of animal lovers, the Conservative Government record on animal welfare is a source of great pride.
“But sadly, too many abuses remain from pet theft, the smuggling of puppies and heavily pregnant dogs, and dogs with their ears horrifically cropped, the illegal export of horses to Europe for slaughter. These issues are personal to me as a Veterinary Surgeon and to my constituents, especially animal theft and livestock worrying.
“Can the Prime Minister reassure the House that animal welfare isa key Government priority and that he will bring forward the necessary legislation to tackle these issues as soon as possible?”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied:
“Can I thank my Honourable Friend for both raising this issue but also his work and expertise in the area?
“I'm proud that thanks to the actions that previous Governments have taken with regards to things like cat microchipping, the ivory ban, or indeed raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years, we are now the highest ranked G7 nation when it comes to World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index.
“But we are determined to go even further and deliver on our manifesto commitments individually during the remainder of this Parliament.”
