MP for West Dorset, Chris Loder, has developed his long-standing campaign to ban live animal exports. The Animal Welfare (Live Exports) bill has passed all remaining stages in the House of Commons.
The legislation strives to put an end to the export of live animals for the purposes of slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, in a bid to end the unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury, which are often caused as a result of long journeys.
Dr. Therese Coffey, former Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) secretary, commended Mr. Loder’s dedication to the cause since his election.
Since being elected in 2019, Mr. Loder has been passionate about bringing the ban to fruition.
Live animal exports
In 2020, Mr. Loder urged fellow MEPs to ensure the practice was banned.
He said: “I’ve long campaigned for the Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Bill to be introduced, and I will not stop until this bill has passed successfully through the House of Lords to make sure this practice is outlawed.”
Prior to the success of the Animal Welfare (Live Exports) bill, the MP’s Private Members Bill increased the maximum sentence for cruelty to animals from six-months-to-fives-years.
Mr. Loder said: “When I was first elected here as your MP in December 2019, one of my key priorities was animal welfare.
“I was delighted to bring to you my private member’s bill which increased the maximum prison sentence for those who are cruel to animals from six-months-to-five-years.
“That was successful, and when I brought that bill through, I very clearly said that the next stage in my personal request for improving animal welfare, would be to ban live animal exports.
“I think that this is another really important step forward for animal welfare, and I hope that you will support me on that journey.”
