Live animal exports are cruel and unnecessary - now is the time that we as a nation get together to do the right thing. Here's what I've been doing to stop it...
May 2016
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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I introduced a 'Ten-Minute Rule Bill to Parliament which would remove the obstacle in UK law preventing Thanet District Council from banning live-animal-exports. The Bill passed its first stage and gathered a significant amount of media attention, putting the issue back on the agenda.
June 2016
Port of Ramsgate, Kent
In June I invited George Eustice, the Environment Minister to the Port of Ramsgate to discuss Live-Exports. He agreed with me that this practice was abhorrent and said that Britain after Brexit would be free to ban this practice.
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JULY 2016
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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In July I brought my Bill back to the House of Commons, this time as a 'Presentation Bill', where it was placed on the House’s Schedule for its second reading. It was to be debated on 25th November.
Credit: @IanDDriver
August 2016
Port of Ramsgate, Kent
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On 26th August I joined protesters to speak out of the cruelty of the live-export trade and promote my Bill to put a stop to it.
November 2016 & March 2017
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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On both 25th November and subsequently, 24th March, I was deeply disappointed to not be given the Parliamentary time required for me to present my Bill for a second reading. On both occasions, the bills scheduled before mine on the list took up the full allotted time. Although this is not what we would have liked, I want to assure all supporters and campaigners that I will not give up on changing the law, and will be sure to continue the fight once Parliament returns.
January 2018
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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On 29th January, I hosted a high-profile event in Parliament to continue to the fight against live animal exports. Many big names were in attendance, including Selina Scott, Joanna Lumley and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, supported by Compassion in World Farming, Kent Action Against Live Exports and the RSPCA. The campaigners plan to use this event as a springboard to obtain the support of as many MPs as possible and put pressure on the Government to put legislation in place prior to ban live exports prior to us leaving the EU.
The event also helped to promote my colleague and former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP's live animal exports Bill. After careful deliberation, I chose not to resubmit my previous Bill to ban live animal exports which did not progress due to the snap General Election, in order to focus my efforts on raising the issue by other means through events such as this and in support of Theresa's robust Bill.
The European Commission have been firm in that they would not accept any change in UK law regarding live animal exports because it would break European Union rules on the free movement of goods. However, now we have left the EU, we are well on the way to banning live animal exports and will finally be able to put a stop to this foul practice once the current transition period ends.
How can you help?
1. If you don't live in South Thanet, email your MP and ask them to support an end to live animal exports, and additionally to support Theresa Villiers MP's Live Animal Exports (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19 as it is progressing through the House of Commons.
2. Share this page on Facebook and Twitter and let your friends and family know about my campaign to put a stop to the cruelty.
3. Sign this online petition to raise live animal exports as an issue for the Government to address: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200205