Tory MP launches petition seeking to reverse Rishi Sunak's animal welfare U-turn

06 June 2023 , 07:37

1105     0

Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns with her two miniature schnauzers Gerturde and Godiva (Image: andreajenkyns/Twitter)

A Tory MP has launched a petition seeking to reverse Rishi Sunak's controversial decision to scrap a flagship animal welfare bill.

Andrea Jenkyns - a junior minister in Liz Truss's short-lived government - said it was important the Tories "honour" their 2019 manifesto commitments.

Describing herself as a "massive animal lover" - alongside her two miniature schnauzers Gerturde and Godiva - Ms Jenkyns said she was "disappointed" by the U-turn.

The Tory MP said: "I'm very disappointed to hear in the last couple of days the Government is dropping the Animal Welfare Bill.

"I don't want to see this happen, so if you can please sign my petition - I need 100,000 signatures to get this debated in Parliament. After all, animals matter."

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Rishi Sunak pledged to champion the legislation while running for the Tory leadership (Getty Images)

During last summer's Tory leadership campaign Mr Sunak pledged to champion the legislation, with his team saying it "will bring in some of the world's strongest protection for pets, livestock and kept wild animals".

They added: "Rishi looks forward to championing this Bill as it continues to progress through Parliament."

But last month the Government was accused by campaigners of an "astonishing betrayal" after ditching the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

The Tories' election manifesto promised to introduce new laws on animal welfare, including banning exports of livestock for slaughter and tackling puppy smuggling.

New powers for police were also proposed to give greater protection to livestock from dangerous dogs while also improving regulations in zoos.

But in a Commons statement in May, Environment Minister Mark Spencer announced the legislation had been scrapped.

Bizarrely, however, he insisted the key measures proposed in the legislation will still be brought forward "individually" before the next general election - expected in 2024.

At the time, the RSPCA hit out at the move, saying: "While politicians dither, animals suffer."

It added: “We are frustrated and disappointed that, despite overwhelming public support, the Government has delayed and delayed and has now broken up the Bill, leading to yet more uncertainty and lost time."

Ashley Cowburn