I’m proud that Britain is a nation of dog lovers. Like many I view the trade and consumption of dog meat as quite abhorrent, particularly where it involves cruelty to animals.
That's why I'm relieved that while the Government recognises the difficulty in standing against countries where eating dog meat is culturally accepted, it has continued to try to influence those countries. There have often been accusations against countries in Asia of cruel treatment towards animals, and the Government has made clear that there can be no place for cruel or inhumane practices anywhere.
The Foreign Office Minister, James Duddridge MP, vowed during the debate,
"We will continue to raise these important issues in the most effective way possible, which is not always through megaphone diplomacy, although sometimes speaking loudly is needed. Where it is needed, we are prepared to speak loudly."
I also warmly welcome the work that non-governmental organisations such as Animal Asia Foundation, the Humane Society International, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals do in Asian countries to protect dogs' welfare.
An important part of the battle is to convince people to care about animal welfare and change their own behaviour. Thanks in large measure to these organisations' activism as well as the British Government's consistent influence, dog meat consumption is declining in several countries across the region.