League Against Cruel Sports statement on the Government decision to drop the Kept Animals Bill
Posted 26th May 2023
Andy Knott, League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, said: “The Government’s decision to drop the Kept Animals Bill betrays the trust lent to it by the public, and reveals the true and very limited commitment it has to improving animal welfare in the UK.
“There was little chance that moves to strengthen fox hunting laws would have been added to the Bill, but the government is ditching vital protections for animals just to avoid having to defend the indefensible in Parliament, something it knows it can’t justify.
“Defending fox hunting has become political poison and yet the Government clings on to its increasingly untenable position to not change hunting laws, whilst avoiding any debate on the issue.
“It knows that not only His Majesty’s Opposition but many of its own MPs want to see hunting laws strengthened in England and Wales and trail hunting, a smokescreen invented by the hunts, banned as it was recently in Scotland.”
Ends
Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 07496 496454 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk
The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading animal charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).
