MP inbox full of puppies, pigs and pangolins? We can help!
Credit: Humane Society International/UK
New and returning MPs will already have received emails about animal welfare from concerned constituents. Humane Society International/UK (HSI/UK) has a long record of supporting Parliamentarians to deliver the animal welfare protections constituents expect.
“I can say for sure that over the years I have been a Member...the postbag I have received...has been overwhelmingly dominated by those constituents who write to me about improving animal welfare. I suspect my experience is not dissimilar to that of many other Members.” - The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP
Many current and former MPs, across all parties, report receiving more emails from their constituents about animal welfare than any other issue.
This is unsurprising, given that strengthening animal welfare standards is a priority for the British public. Focaldata 2023 polling revealed that over two-thirds (67%) of the British public think that a political party planning to pass more laws to improve animal welfare and protect animals from cruelty would have ‘the right priorities’. The same polling found that one in six people rank ‘whether or not a party will protect animals from cruelty’ as one of the top three most important policies that would influence which party they vote for. A recent HSI/UK-commissioned report by academics also found that strong support for improved animal welfare policies holds across all UK nations, constituencies and demographics, and across voters for all political parties.
With HSI/UK’s long record of constructive work with Parliamentarians, we can help MPs take effective action on those animal welfare issues constituents care most deeply about, to help demonstrate that their elected representatives take their concerns seriously.
HSI/UK is a leading force for animal protection in the UK, and part of one of the largest animal protection organisations in the world, working in more than 50 countries. We regularly engage with our tens of thousands of supporters in the UK to help them to be part of strengthening laws for animals, and preventing cruelty. In June, for example, we co-led the Crackdown on Cruelty campaign, supported by more than 20 prominent animal protection organisations, which enabled some 50,000 voters to urge their candidates to pledge to be a voice for animals if elected; more than 260 candidates took the pledge.
Credit: CATCH – Coalition Against Trophy and Canned Hunting
MPs will hear from our compassionate supporters, their constituents, about our campaigning priorities for this Parliament:
- A Fur-Free Britain: Fur farming was banned across the UK by 2003 but fur importation and sale remains legal, with an estimated one million animals worth of fur being imported here annually. HSI/UK leads the Fur Free Britain campaign and coalition and our joint petition calling for a ban on the import and sale of fur has over 1.2 million signatures. 2023 Focaldata polling revealed that 77% of the public back a ban on fur imports and, during the last Parliament, over 250 cross-party MPs and Peers pledged their support for a ban. The campaign is also supported by some of the nation’s most prominent public figures including Dame Judi Dench, Gary Lineker, Sir Brian May and Dame Jane Goodall. We are calling for the Labour Government to take swift action to stop the double standard of importing cruelty, and end Britain’s role in the global fur trade.
- A ban on trophy hunting imports: 82% of the British public want to see an end to the import of animal parts taken as ‘trophies’ from animals including lions, elephants and polar bears. Trophy hunters are robbing countries of irreplaceable wildlife and corruption and mismanagement mean that funds generated from hunts scarcely reach conservation projects or the communities who live alongside wildlife. Our campaign is calling for the Government to introduce a Government Bill to fulfil Labour’s manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies.
- The Crate Escape: A ban on the use of farrowing crates for pigs. In the UK, some 200,000 mother pigs are kept in farrowing crates for up to five weeks several times each year, around the times they give birth. These crates are so small the mothers cannot even turn around, much less interact as they naturally should with their piglets, and they suffer physically and mentally. 2023 Survation polling found that less than one in five people in Britain (19.8%) support the use of farrowing crates. Our campaign is urging the focused use of public funds to support farmers to replace intensive confinement methods with free-farrowing systems that are kinder and safe for sows and piglets.
In addition to the above priorities, HSI/UK has expertise and can provide advice to Parliamentarians on a range of other animal protection measures, including strengthening the Hunting Act; the use of snares to trap wildlife (currently still legal in England, while recently banned in Scotland and Wales); plant-based food advocacy, food labelling, and public procurement.
MPs will hear from constituents on a dizzying array of animal protection topics which is why, alongside other leading animal protection organisations, we are calling for the new Labour Government to publish a detailed and ambitious Animal Protection Strategy. This would set out goals and priorities for tackling cruelty, provide clarity to Parliament and the public, and help ensure the Government meets its laudable commitment to introduce ‘the biggest boost to animal welfare in a generation’.
HSI/UK can offer expert, tailored, evidence-driven support to Parliamentarians, Ministers and civil servants, helping to drive forward vital legislative protections for animals. Some of our recent positive engagement has been to champion the successful passage of the Animal Sentience Act 2022, as well as the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 and the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024.
For assistance with any animal welfare related issues, or to learn more about any of our campaigns, please contact our Senior Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs Claire Bass at cbass@hsi.org. We would be delighted to hear from you and look forward to working with you this session.
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