More than 30 MPs attend event urging government to implement animal welfare law
News
More than 30 MPs and nine peers attended a parliamentary event last week calling on the government to finally implement a law meant to stop travel companies selling and advertising cruel wildlife attractions abroad.
The drop-in event was hosted in Parliament by Irene Campbell MP and organised by a coalition of seven animal protection organisations, including World Animal Protection, the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, Born Free, Marine Connection, PETA, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and Save the Asian Elephants.
The focus was the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023, which was passed with cross-party support two years ago. The law was intended to stop UK travel companies from selling and promoting attractions to the UK public that exploit wild animals overseas, such as elephant rides, captive dolphin shows and tiger cub petting.
But the legislation still has not been brought into force.
A law that still protects no animals
The government has yet to introduce the regulations that would specify which activities are banned. Until those regulations are in place, the law cannot be used and travel companies can continue to profit from attractions that cause animal suffering.
More than 2,300 of our supporters emailed their MPs ahead of the event, urging them to attend and learn more about the delay in implementing the legislation.
Among the MPs who attended were Dr Neil Hudson MP and Dr Danny Chambers MP, both veterinary surgeons.
A number of high-profile supporters were also present, including sailor and conservation advocate Tracey Edwards, actors Jamie Bamber and Peter Egan, and broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher.
Pressure on the government to act
After the event, World Animal Protection UK Country Director Ruth Tanner joined Lord Sandy Trees, Terry Jermy MP and other members of the coalition to deliver a joint letter to 10 Downing Street.
The letter calls on the government to introduce the regulations needed to activate the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act without further delay.
Until those regulations are introduced, the law cannot be used to stop UK companies from promoting cruel wildlife attractions overseas.
Campaigners say they will continue pressing the government to act so the legislation can finally begin protecting animals used in entertainment.
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