Tory MPs expected to back Labour plans to reintroduce animal welfare bill

Conservative backbenchers plan to speak in favour of opposition motion to force government’s hand

Rishi Sunak is facing a potential headache as backbench Conservative MPs prepare to support a Labour plan to bring back ditched animal welfare policies.

Last month, ministers announced they were dropping the kept animals bill, which was part of the Tories’ 2019 manifesto. The legislation was intended to ban live exports of farm animals as well as clamp down on puppy smuggling and dog theft.