West Dorset MP Chris Loder has urged the Government to make proposed animal welfare reforms a priority following the postponement of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals Bill), originally planned to come to Parliament on the 19th September, due to the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. At an event on Tuesday 11th October, Mr Loder invited a small delegation of local sheep farmers to join the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to mark the first lamb exports to the United States of America in over 20 years. Amongst the delegation, farmer Cameron Farquharson, who has led the ‘Gladis’ Law campaign since the death of his pregnant Highland cow in early 2021 in a suspected dog attack.
Both Mr Farquharson and Mr Loder are campaigning for a change to the law to clamp down on livestock worrying. Mr Loder introduced government ministers to Mr Farquharson and urged the Government to double down on measures to crack down on animal worrying promised through the Kept Animals Bill. Mr Loder also further galvanised his animal welfare campaign when following the meeting in Downing Street, the DEFRA Secretary and Farming Minister reaffirmed their support of the recently introduced ban on live animal exports for fattening and slaughter overseas – a ban strongly campaigned for and backed by Mr Loder.
Mr Loder said; “I took the opportunity to ensure the government are aware of the real need for action against the suffering of animals as a result of careless or negligent dog owners. The Kept Animals Bill is a vital piece of legislation that I have been proud to support, and with my ongoing campaign in Westminster, I hope to see it make progress through Parliament again very soon and will be reflecting this message to the new Prime Minister this week too.”
