Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)

- Hansard -

A number of my constituents have presented to me, for presentation in turn to the House, a petition dealing with international animal welfare. It refers to the somewhat repugnant and wholly unacceptable practice involving extreme torture and the eating of cats and dogs in Thailand, Vietnam and China, sometimes after it is observed that they have been cooked alive.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill,

Declares that any torture and eating of cats and dogs in Thailand, Vietnam and China is unacceptable; further that the practices in place in Thailand, Vietnam and China cause unnecessary stress and harm to the cats and dogs involved; and further that these practices are a cause of concern for the British and Scottish athletes who will be attending the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

The Petitioners therefore request that the UK Government urges the governments of Thailand, Vietnam and China to strengthen and enforce their animal protection laws and further requests that the House urges the Government to consider incoming visits from the governments of these countries.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P001295]