The animal welfare Bill which Guy steered through the House of Lords to crack down on the marketing and advertising of so-called "entertainment tourism" - and the appalling cruelty to which animals involved in it are subjected - received Royal Assent on 18th September 2023 and became law. (For background to the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad Act) see here.

During the final stage of the Bill (the Third Reading) Guy thanked all those who had made this possible - including the charities, in particular Save The Asian Elephants, who had worked so hard over many years to achieve this.

Pointing out that this legislation is a world first, he said that: "This legislation is just the starting point in helping to protect those animals that suffer such cruelty in the name of animal tourism, such as Asian elephants, dolphins, whales, tigers and lions, baby monkeys and much marine and avian life. Horrific barbarism, which is inflicted on so many of these defenceless creatures, will not end overnight. But this Bill will ...be the catalyst for profound change."

He also noted that the Bill would save human lives, too: "This Bill is also about protecting human life. Never again do we want to see another incident like that involving Andrea Taylor, who was killed by a scared and terrified elephant, brutalised into submission in the name of tourism, and whose sister, Helen Costigan, has been such a strong supporter of the Bill."

In conclusion, he said: " From the moment I arrived here, 13 or so years ago, I believed my role—and I know that so many other noble Lords think likewise—was to represent and protect those who have no voice. By passing the Bill today, we do just that, and we do so in the best traditions of Parliament. We should take great pride in this achievement."

The full text of the debate, including contributions from both the Government and the Opposition (who also supported the Act) is here.

ENDS