It was good to catch up with Lorraine and Chris Platt, Co-Founders of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, at their new office in Hampton Court to welcome the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which was recently confirmed in the King’s Speech.
In recent years, this Conservative Government has introduced legislation to bring in tougher sentences for animal cruelty. Additionally, in 2022, the Ivory Act came into force, and we enshrined into domestic law the recognition that animals are sentient. However, there is still more to do.
This is why I am delighted to welcome the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill. This delivers on our manifesto commitment by banning the live export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening. It will prevent unnecessary, long export journeys, instead using shorter and less stressful domestic journeys.
Thank you to Lorraine and Chris for taking the time to chat and for all their hard work in campaigning for this Bill!