I was delighted to speak in favour of important amendments to the Animal Welfare (sentience) Bill during its report stage in the House of Commons. This Bill provides a welcome update to our existing legislation that ensures that protects animal welfare here at home and protects our outstanding national record of appropriate and effective regulation. I know that my constituents in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner are animal lovers including the more than 80 farms and fisheries that I have the honour of representing.

I wholeheartedly supported the amendments brought by my Conservative colleagues in Parliament to ensure that we maintain our high welfare standards, which are expected by animal lovers and conservationists across the country. The amendment in question, tabled by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown duplicated the safeguards of EU law into British law, recognising the importance of religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage. While respecting the desires of animal rights activists, this amendment provides proportionate protections for people’s way of life. I was glad that the Government decided to support the amendment and that it gained the support of the House.

The Bill has now completed its progress through the House of Commons, and I look forward to its remaining stages in due course.