Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has given his support to the Network for Animals (NFA) and the Kennel Club campaign which calls for the reinforcement of the ban on the Filipino dog meat trade.

The Kennel Club has teamed up with Network for Animals to help campaign to end the dog meat trade in the Philippines which has long been linked with a number of animal welfare concerns and violations.  Although the trade is banned in the Philippines, up to 500,000 dogs every year are still slaughtered and eaten.

Andrew Miller said:

“The UK is the international leader on animal welfare and is at the forefront of efforts to protect animals internationally.

“Dogs in the Philippines are being captured and stolen for their meat whilst being kept in unbearable conditions. They often die en route to their destinations and face even worse circumstances at slaughterhouses, where no guidelines exist for the humane killing of dogs. This is unacceptable and needs to stop.

“Dogs are companion animals and whilst recognising cultural differences in eating habits, this does not excuse the animal welfare issues associated with this trade.

“The Philippines has outlawed the sale and consumption of dog meat, yet the trade is still prevalent and I support calls to the Filipino government to better enforce their dog meat ban.

“Constituents who want to find out more about the campaign can do so at:

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogmeat  or http://www.networkforanimals.org/campaigns/the-philippines-dog-meat-trade “

Ends

1^st December 2011