Watford MP, Richard Harrington welcomes Government action to reduce plastic waste, be tougher on animal welfare standards and protect the planet for future generations.
The Conservative Government is tackling the green agenda by introducing tough new measures that will protect marine life and further increase animal welfare standards.
The Government’s 25 year Plan will:
- Extend the 5p charge for all plastic carrier bags to all retailers
- Eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042
- Inject new funding into plastics innovation
- Introduce charges on single-use plastic items
- Ban the use of microbeads in products
Despite already having some of toughest animal welfare standards in the world, the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove MP is also banning the illegal sale of puppies and kittens, introducing CCTV in abattoirs, increasing the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years, banning the sale of ivory to protect elephants and amending the animal welfare code. On top of all that, the Government recently announced a call for evidence to look at banning the live export of animals for slaughter.
Watford MP, Richard Harrington is ‘delighted that so much has been achieved in such a short amount of time” and commented that “the time had come for action. These tough new measures will make a real difference, protecting animals and also protecting our planet for future generations.”
Mr Harrington has been campaigning for higher animal welfare standards and has spoken in debates at the House of Commons on this. He has also launched a campaign which is encouraging local businesses to reduce their use of throw-away plastic.
He said:
“We’re going to be tough on animal welfare standards, giving animals the respect that they deserve. I have been pushing for a ban on the illegal sale of puppies of kittens and so I’m particularly proud that we’re now protecting Britain’s best loved pets!
I have been looking at ways to reduce my own plastic consumption, and encourage others to do the same. We all have a role to play in protecting our oceans and making small changes can make a huge difference. That’s why I launched a campaign encouraging local businesses to do their bit. This has been a real success with quite a few local companies getting rid of plastic straws and disposable cups.”