Local MP for Castle Point, Dame Rebecca Harris was one of over 90 MPs and Peers gathered in Westminster at the first major animal welfare event in Parliament since the General Election, alongside celebrities and campaigners from the UK’s leading animal protection organisations.

Dame Rebecca Harris MP for Castle Point commented: “My constituents care deeply about protecting animals and as their representative I am delighted to champion animal welfare in Parliament. 

The Conservative Government passed many new animal welfare laws, such as ending live animal exports, formally recognising animal sentience in law for the first time, banned the commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens, protected service animals via ‘Finn’s Law’ and created the specific criminal offence of pet abduction to name a few. 

I was so disappointed to see no animal welfare improvements in the new Government’s King’s Speech which sets out their plans for new legislation in the year ahead. I will be working to ensure this Government delivers the improved animal welfare laws that the public expect and that animals deserve.”

TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher led the House of Commons event, which was hosted by Ruth Jones MP and organised by the Animals Matter coalition - Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK, Humane Society International/UK and the RSPCA.

Kirsty Gallacher hosted a Q&A with campaigners who called on the Labour Government to prevent puppy smuggling, end the use of cages and crates on UK farms and agree a food strategy that would give consumers clear information on the provenance of their food. 

A spokesperson for the Animals Matter coalition said: “Over two-thirds of the British public think that a political party planning to pass more laws to protect animals from cruelty would have ‘the right priorities’.