Animal Welfare

We are a nation of animal lovers, and I welcome the Government’s recognition of the importance of animal welfare.  

I am encouraged that our animal testing strategy has been welcomed by groups including the RSPCA and Cruelty Free international. This strategy aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate animal testing wherever possible, while ensuring that safe and effective alternatives are introduced responsibly. I also welcomed the Government’s announcement in November to allocate £60 million in funding to set up a hub that will bring together data, technology and expertise to promote collaboration between researchers. A new centre will also be built to make the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives as straightforward as possible.   

The Government is also working hard to deliver a ban on the cruel sport of trail hunting. Like many of you, I am concerned that trail hunting too often acts as a cover for illegal hunting, allowing individuals to obscure their intentions and dismiss the pursuit of animals as ‘accidental’. This is why any ban must be robust and enforceable to genuinely protect wildlife. A public consultation will open later this year, inviting both experts and members of the public to share their views on how best to implement this ban, and I strongly encourage everyone to participate. 

Please be assured that, as your MP, I will continue to support the Government in advancing what promises to be the most ambitious set of animal welfare reforms in a generation.