The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passed its second reading the House of Commons this week. The bill will now move to committee stage before returning to the Commons chamber for its third reading.
The bill was introduced on 4 December by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP. If made law it will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain.
The UK is already the highest ranked G7 country on the World Animal Protection Index and this legislation implements a recommendation included in the 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
Commenting Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, said: “I support the bill and I was in the chamber for the debate. I was expecting more MPs to be present – for much of the debate the opposition back benches were empty – because I thought the bill would be widely welcomed.
“The key though is that the bill passed its second reading and will now proceed to the committee stage. For me this is a significant animal welfare issue and I want an end to this trade.
“I look forward to following the bill as it continues on its parliamentary journey. I understand the bill will go to committee stage and return for a third reading early next year and hopefully become law within months.”
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