"We are incredibly frustrated that the Government has dropped the Kept Animals Bill, which contained impressive measures to improve animal welfare, including banning the live export of farmed animals, a key Brexit promise, and tackling puppy smuggling. Once again, it appears that empty promises to protect animals have been pushed aside, along with the wishes of 72% of the British public who want to see more and stronger legal protections for animals.  

The halting of progress on key promises in the Government’s own Action for Animals Plan is tantamount to animal cruelty due to the needless suffering millions of animals will continue to endure whilst the Government sits on its hands, pawning issues off onto MPs to sort in hard to secure Private Members Bills.   

Whilst we are extremely disappointed by today’s announcement, we will not stop our efforts to ensure the Kept Animals Bill is delivered in its entirety in order to protect animals in the UK."

Sonul Badiani-Hamment, FOUR PAWS UK Country Director