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Henry Smith

Member of Parliament for Crawley

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Animal Welfare

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Animal Welfare

I have consistently campaigned for stronger laws against those who cause animals pain and inflict suffering needlessly. In June 2015 I was named Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, and served in this role until the 2019 General Election. Since 2020, I have been a Vice Chair of the Group, as I continue to highlight the need for greater animal protections.

In 2015 I led a House of Commons debate on the importance of CCTV in UK slaughterhouses; this is an issue I have pursued in Parliament and was delighted when the Government adopted this as law.

I have additionally called for the end of live exports of animals for slaughter, and welcome the Government’s action to launch a call for evidence on this important animal welfare issue.

This is an issue I have continued to work on including in my role as a Patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation.

More recently we have also seen action on increasing sentences for animal cruelty tenfold to five years, banning of back street puppy breeders, ending the third party sales of puppies, and publishing updated animal welfare codes.

In June 2018, I was pleased to lead a House of Commons debate calling for a ban on imports of foie gras; a ‘product’ derived from fatty livers of ducks or geese after they have been force-fed maize repeatedly, by having a metal tube inserted down their throats two or three times a day.

While domestic production of foie gras is thankfully banned in this country, the importing of it is still allowed – a double standard we need to put right. After leaving the EU’s single market, Britain is able to make this decision to ban imports of this so-called delicacy. I urge the Government to take this action in line with the progress we have seen in recent years on other areas of animal rights.

I have also served on the Public Bill Committee of the Government’s Ivory Bill. This legislation is now helping protect the approximately 20,000 elephants slaughtered each year for their ivory.

In September 2021 I introduced my Hen Caging (Prohibition) Bill, also known as Beatrice’s Bill after a rescued hen, which would have banned the use of cages for laying hens.

I also tabled an amendment to the Government’s Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill in January 2022 which would protect end of lay hens from rough handling while loading for transport and ensure better welfare conditions during travel.

In the current parliamentary session I introduced a landmark Bill to ban British hunters from bringing ‘trophies’ of endangered and vulnerable animals into this country. The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill would be the strongest of its kind in the world. It successfully completed its House of Commons third reading in March 2023 and now goes to the House of Lords for approval

Please click here to sign up for email updates about my work on animal welfare.

News

Working for Crawley and looking ahead to the Coronation

Working for Crawley and looking ahead to the Coronation

Wednesday, 3 May, 2023

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 3rd May 2023.

230317 Henry Smith MP HOC Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill third reading

Leading the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill through the House of Commons

Monday, 27 March, 2023

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 29th March 2023.

Henry Smith MP backs legal protection for farmed fish at the time of slaughter

Henry Smith MP backs legal protection for farmed fish at the time of slaughter

Friday, 24 March, 2023

Henry Smith MP has attended an event highlighting a lack of legal protection for farmed fish at the time of their slaughter in the UK.

Henry Smith MP backs ending the use of farrowing crates

Henry Smith MP backs ending the use of farrowing crates

Thursday, 23 March, 2023

Henry Smith MP attended a reception in support of The Crate Escape campaign which calls on the Government to end the use of farrowing crates.

Henry Smith MP leads historic bill to ban trophy hunting imports through the House of Commons

Henry Smith MP leads historic bill to ban trophy hunting imports through the House of Commons

Friday, 17 March, 2023

Henry Smith MP's Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, which would legislate for a historic ban on trophy hunting imports into this country, has been passed by the House of Commons.

Henry Smith MP speech in the House of Commons third reading debate of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill

Friday, 17 March, 2023

Full text and video of Henry Smith MP's speech in the House of Commons third reading debate of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill on 17th March 2023.

Henry Smith MP speech in the House of Commons report stage debate of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill

Friday, 17 March, 2023

Full text and video of Henry Smith MP's speech in the House of Commons report stage debate of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill on 17th March 2023.

Henry Smith MP leads committee stage of his bill to ban trophy hunting imports

Henry Smith MP leads committee stage of his bill to ban trophy hunting imports

Thursday, 26 January, 2023

Henry Smith MP has led a House of Commons Public Bill Committee for the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill he is taking through Parliament.

Henry Smith MP Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill Public Bill Committee

Wednesday, 25 January, 2023

Full text and audio of the Public Bill Committee of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill put forward by Henry Smith MP, on 25th January 2023.

Henry Smith MP leads Commons debate calling for ban on domestic advertising and sale of cruel animal activities

Wednesday, 25 January, 2023

Henry Smith MP has led a House of Commons Adjournment Debate (on Tuesday, 24th January) calling for a ban on the advertising and sale at home of cruel animal activity experiences abroad.

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Henry Smith Member of Parliament for Crawley

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