David Amess MP nominated for Initiative Award for his dedication to Animal Welfare.

Animal Lover David Amess MP Nominated for Initiative Award

London, UK – April 3, 2014 – David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West has been shortlisted, out of 70 candidates, for the 2nd Annual Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards. The award recognises UK-based politicians and diplomats who are representing civilian interests at the highest level in areas of national and local policy, as well as business. Mr Amess has been nominated for his long-standing dedication to the protection of animal welfare.

Mr Amess is well-known for being an animal welfare campaigner and has introduced, put forward and supported Early Day Motions and legislation in an effort to improve animal welfare. The MP has had a great deal of legislative success during his 30 years in Parliament. He has sponsored the Horses and Ponies Bill, 1984-5, the Dogs Bill, 1989-90, and the Pet Animals (Amendment) Bill, 1990-91.

His most notable achievement to date is the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988, which came about as a result of Mr Amess’ long-standing concern for animal welfare.

The MP is currently working on amending the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to improve breeding conditions for dogs and restricting minors from being sold dogs in an effort to reduce mistreatment.

Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, Director of Grassroot Diplomat, said: “The award illustrates that we do have government representatives that actively work on meeting the people’s needs and we must focus on bringing more positive role models into society and diminish negative news – that is the grassroot diplomacy way”.

Join David Amess MP and other government nominees in Central London on Thursday 3rd April 2014 where the awards ceremony will be hosted by Hollywood actress Rhona Mitra. For ticket information please visit: www.grassrootdiplomat.org/awards.

We wish David success with his nomination which is well deserved.

David Amess very kindly thanked Dr Brian May and Lorraine Platt, Founder of Blue Badger in the badger cull main chamber debate in 2012 for their work to assist Conservative MPs on the badger cull issue. This was recorded in the Hansard notes

David Amess attended the Badger and Cattle Vaccination launch event in Portcullis House on the 4th February 2014 which was well attended by MPs and Peers and the media. http://www.bacvi.co.uk

Forefront in the fight against the Government’s badger cull policy, Queen guitarist Brian May joins with cosmetics company Lush and leading animal welfare organisations including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and Save Me, to launch a new initiative, BACVI (Badger and Cattle Vaccination Initiative), a nationwide appeal to promote and support vaccination of badgers and cattle as a tool in the fight against bovine TB.

Despite the failure of last year’s pilot culls to achieve their objectives, the Government is preparing to go forward with plans to roll out the culling of badgers throughout the UK. It is no secret that farmers and landowners are already being called on by Natural England to prepare applications for future badger control licences.

By launching BACVI, May and partnering organisations are striving to win support among farmers to adopt vaccination as an immediate move towards helping to control bovine TB in both badgers and cattle, as opposed to culling, which it suggests may currently be accelerating the spread of the disease.

The BACVI sponsorship page is at http://www.bacvi.co.uk. All monies raised will go directly to support vaccination schemes, and farmers throughout the UK are eligible to apply for help in vaccinating their badgers.