Puppy smuggling crackdown and live animal export ban dropped in major government U-turn

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The government has scrapped bills that would have banned live animal exports and cracked down on puppy smuggling, prompting waves of fury from campaigners and pundits animal welfare.

The Kept Animals Bill - which also included a ban on primates as pets, a crackdown on smuggling of puppies and better protection of sheep from dogs dangerous - featured in the Conservatives' election manifesto.

The pledges were pillars of the government's major animal welfare action plan of 2021, and the bill was one of the flagship policies of Boris Johnson.

Lambs on a lorry in Scotland

(Getty Images)

During his campaign for the Tory leadership last year, Rishi Sunak promised to ban live animal exports and champion the Kept Animals Bill.

When the leaders of nearly 30 campaign organizations called on him and his rival Liz Truss to pledge to keep the pledges, Mr Sunak's team responded by saying: "Rishi looks forward to championing this bill as it continues progress in parliament."

The legislation would also have tackled pet theft, improved zoo animal welfare rules and banned the import dogs with cropped ears.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Mark Spencer announced on Thursday that the government was abandoning him, citing a lack of parliamentary time - but sources said the government feared this could lead to debates over a hunting ban.

Animal welfare campaigners have accused the Prime Minister of breaking Tory promises.< /p>

Claire Bass, Senior Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs at Humane Society International/UK, said: "The Government's decision to scrap the Kept Animals Bill is an astonishing betrayal to both animals and the public's trust.

Charities used banner urging Therese Coffey and Rishi Sunak not to 'hang animals to dry'

She said the bill only needed a few more hours in the Commons to...

Puppy smuggling crackdown and live animal export ban dropped in major government U-turn
IndyEatGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our journalists around the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailPlease enter a valid email addressPlease enter a valid email addressI would like to receive emails about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice{{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}An error has occurred. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}

The government has scrapped bills that would have banned live animal exports and cracked down on puppy smuggling, prompting waves of fury from campaigners and pundits animal welfare.

The Kept Animals Bill - which also included a ban on primates as pets, a crackdown on smuggling of puppies and better protection of sheep from dogs dangerous - featured in the Conservatives' election manifesto.

The pledges were pillars of the government's major animal welfare action plan of 2021, and the bill was one of the flagship policies of Boris Johnson.

Lambs on a lorry in Scotland

(Getty Images)

During his campaign for the Tory leadership last year, Rishi Sunak promised to ban live animal exports and champion the Kept Animals Bill.

When the leaders of nearly 30 campaign organizations called on him and his rival Liz Truss to pledge to keep the pledges, Mr Sunak's team responded by saying: "Rishi looks forward to championing this bill as it continues progress in parliament."

The legislation would also have tackled pet theft, improved zoo animal welfare rules and banned the import dogs with cropped ears.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Mark Spencer announced on Thursday that the government was abandoning him, citing a lack of parliamentary time - but sources said the government feared this could lead to debates over a hunting ban.

Animal welfare campaigners have accused the Prime Minister of breaking Tory promises.< /p>

Claire Bass, Senior Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs at Humane Society International/UK, said: "The Government's decision to scrap the Kept Animals Bill is an astonishing betrayal to both animals and the public's trust.

Charities used banner urging Therese Coffey and Rishi Sunak not to 'hang animals to dry'

She said the bill only needed a few more hours in the Commons to...

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