I have been interested in animal welfare issues for many years.
As a DEFRA Minister I was responsible for getting the Hunting Bill through parliament. The subsequent act made it illegal to hunt foxes with dogs. It was and still is a very contentious piece of legislation; I am still working to make sure the act is rigourously enforced.
The Canadian Seal hunt is another issue that I have focussed on over the past few years. I have made a number of representations to the Canadian Government on this issue and I will continue to do so until we see an end to this barbaric hunt. I regularly ask questions in the House on this matter and I am campaigning to make sure that any products resulting from the hunt do not enter the European Union.