John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con):
I, too, thank the Minister and the Government for their fantastic legislation and great track record, of which we can be truly proud. Is it not the case that this Bill would not have been possible when we were EU members, and that we have put right that wrong? I urge the EU to catch up.
Mark Spencer (Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries):
As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely right.
January 17, 2024
I had a letter printed in the Daily Mail and The Kidderminster Shuttle stating the facts on this issue and how my thanks go to the Government (mainly through Boris putting animal reform near the top of his 2019 manifesto), the animal charities who have fought so long for this, celebrities for backing the issue and those of us who have written all over the place and contributed hard earned money over many years to try to get some justice for sentient beings who have feelings the same as us. If you have been with farm animals as I have you will see that they are not just things in a field. They come to you and respond to affection and words of comfort. Treat them with respect and then we might be going somewhere as human beings. Eat them if you must but make sure they are cared for and loved before going on the block. Now we need to clean up slaughterhouses in this country to go with the new found law of exporting to worse ones than are here.
January 17, 2024
Perhaps a brief explanation of the ‘Livestock Issues’ would help us understand the improvement?
January 17, 2024
“As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely right”…’as ever!’ it’s a pity they don’t act as you suggest on numerous other matters when they also say you are right.
January 17, 2024
Having been in the EEC since the start of 1973 and increasingly bound into the EU until the end of 2020, there are so many lingering messes than remain to be wiped off. Releasing animals from the EC’s penitentiary is a welcome humane saving.
January 17, 2024
Indeed, thanks to Minister Spencer for this pleasing legislation (though coming only nine years after the Brexit referendum) and a commendation to him too for a particularly crisp and brief application of the standard form ministerial reply to you.
January 17, 2024
eight years rather.