Published 01/07/2010

A new Bill promoting sustainable farming is to be introduced in Parliament by Robert Flello MP. This is a huge step forward in the campaign for farming systems that are fairer for animals, people and the planet.

Robert Flello, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, was one of only 20 MPs who won the 2010 Ballot for Private Members' Bills. This gave him the rare opportunity to drive a law of his choice through Parliament. His Bill will definitely be debated in Parliament. Being the second name pulled out of the hat also means he has a very real chance of seeing it passed into law.

Compassion in World Farming is absolutely delighted that Mr Flello has chosen to introduce the Sustainable Livestock Bill, which was drafted by Friends of the Earth.

Government action for sustainable livestock farming

This groundbreaking Bill will aim to promote sustainable farming systems and levels of meat consumption. Compassion in World Farming believes that sustainability can best be achieved through a reduction of animal products in western-style diets and extensive farming systems which protect the welfare of the animals.

The Bill therefore has strong potential to lead to major improvements in farm animal welfare. It could also help protect smaller-scale livestock farmers who are currently unable to compete with big intensive agricultural corporations.

If it becomes law, the Bill will commit the Government to implement an action plan limiting any detrimental environmental impacts of livestock farming. Factory farms which keep vast numbers of animals indoors and feed them unnatural diets containing products such as soy often rely on large imports of intensively-grown animal feed, particularly from South America. This is detrimental to wildlife and rainforests as well as farm animals. We believe that the Government's plan should promote only humane, more extensive livestock farming in order to meet the objectives of the Bill.

Thank you for your support

Compassion in World Farming would like to thank all our supporters in the constituencies of the Ballot winners who contacted their MP asking them to back the Bill.

Your support has contributed to the momentum which gives the Bill a real chance of becoming law, bringing us closer to our goal of achieving farming systems which are fairer for animals, people and the planet.

The Bill will probably be debated in Parliament in November. We will then need to lobby our MPs to ensure that they participate in this important debate. We will keep you updated on the progress of the Bill as well as any action you may be able to take to help it become law.