Climate activist Greta Thunberg will sail from Europe to north America in August, kicking off a climate tour through the Americas over the next few months.

The sailboat is outfitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to allow for a zero-carbon, trans-Atlantic voyage.

Greta will join large-scale climate demonstrations on September 20 and 27 and speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, hosted by Secretary General António Guterres in New York City on September 23.

Journey

Greta is taking a sabbatical year from school, and aims to attend a number of events during her time in North America, meeting with people most impacted by the climate and ecological emergency, climate activists, and decision-makers. She also plans to visit Canada and Mexico.

Greta will then travel to the annual UN climate conference (COP25) in Santiago, Chile, between December 2-13, with plans to visit other sites in South America that are important in tackling the climate crisis.

Greta doesn’t fly because of the tremendous amount of emissions caused by air travel – emissions that are strongly amplified due to the fact that they are released high-up in the atmosphere. She will therefore choose the least carbon-intensive modes of transportation throughout her travels across the Americas.

After months of research and considering different options for her journey, Greta will sail across the Atlantic in a zero-carbon racing boat called Malizia II, a foiling sailboat built in 2015, which is fitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity on board the vessel.

Greta will be joined on board the boat by her father Svante Thunberg and filmmaker Nathan Grossman of B-Reel Films, who will document the journey.

Young

The boat will be captained by professional race skipper Boris Herrmann and Malizia team founder Pierre Casiraghi, who have donated their time and skills to help Greta cross the Atlantic without flying. The voyage is jointly organised by Greta, Team Malizia, and B-Reel Films.

The Malizia team also developed the Malizia Ocean Challenge, a project to support ocean climate education and the monitoring of ocean CO2. This project is affiliated with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports work on environmental and climate change issues.

The boat will depart from the United Kingdom in mid-August and arrive in New York City approximately two weeks later, making no stops on the way. Exact departure and arrival dates will depend on the weather conditions.

Greta said: “The science is clear. We must start bending the emissions curve steeply downwards no later than 2020, if we still are to have a chance of staying below a 1,5 degrees of global temperature rise.

“We still have a window of time when things are in our own hands. But that window is closing fast. That is why I have decided to make this trip now. During the past year, millions of young people have raised their voice to make world leaders wake up to the climate and ecological emergency.

Humanity

“Over the next months, the events in New York and Santiago de Chile will show if they have listened. Together with many other young people across the Americas and the world, I will be there, even if the journey will be long and challenging.

“We will make our voices heard. It is our future on the line, and we must at least have a say in it. The science is clear and all we children are doing is communicating and acting on that united science. And our demand is for the world to unite behind the science.”

Mr Herrmann said: “Greta is amazingly courageous to be standing up against ignorance and injustice regarding the climate crisis. I am not surprised that she considers this trip as something perfectly achievable for her – taking into account her courage in speaking up in a loud and clear way even in front of the most powerful people.

“I am conscious about Pierre‘s and my responsibility. We will make sure she will reach New York in the safest way possible. I am thrilled that our sport ambition and sailing project can play a small but hopefully important role in increasing awareness for the most important challenge humanity faces today.

“I feel humbled that Greta accepted our offer as the lowest-carbon option to cross the Atlantic – despite the lack of comfort for her.”

Beauty

Mr Casiraghi said: “I believe in increasing awareness about rising global emissions and pollution due to human activity. Convincing Governments and international institutions to make the step and enforce laws that will protect mankind and biodiversity is of utmost importance for the future of humanity. 

“Greta is an ambassador who delivers a fundamental message both for our society and for the survival of future generations.

“Team Malizia and I are proud to take Greta across the Atlantic in this challenging mode of transport, unfortunately today this is the only way without fossil fuel emissions. Hopefully this will change in the near future. I respect Greta’s courage to take on this adventure and fully commit, sacrifice, and fight for probably the greatest challenge humanity faces.”

Mr Grossman said:“Like many I have been amazed by Greta and her fight to raise awareness about the climate crisis. In the documentary we get to follow from within how Greta goes from sitting all alone outside the Swedish parliament to becoming a world famous activist.

“On this trip I will capture Greta and the teams strenuous effort to get to the Americas with as little carbon emissions as possible, letting the audience close to both the challenges and beauty of travelling this way.”

This Article

Brendan Montague is editor of The Ecologist.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg will sail from Europe to north America in August, kicking off a climate tour through the Americas over the next few months.

The sailboat is outfitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to allow for a zero-carbon, trans-Atlantic voyage.

Greta will join large-scale climate demonstrations on September 20 and 27 and speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, hosted by Secretary General António Guterres in New York City on September 23.

Journey

Greta is taking a sabbatical year from school, and aims to attend a number of events during her time in North America, meeting with people most impacted by the climate and ecological emergency, climate activists, and decision-makers. She also plans to visit Canada and Mexico.

Greta will then travel to the annual UN climate conference (COP25) in Santiago, Chile, between December 2-13, with plans to visit other sites in South America that are important in tackling the climate crisis.

Greta doesn’t fly because of the tremendous amount of emissions caused by air travel – emissions that are strongly amplified due to the fact that they are released high-up in the atmosphere. She will therefore choose the least carbon-intensive modes of transportation throughout her travels across the Americas.

After months of research and considering different options for her journey, Greta will sail across the Atlantic in a zero-carbon racing boat called Malizia II, a foiling sailboat built in 2015, which is fitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity on board the vessel.

Greta will be joined on board the boat by her father Svante Thunberg and filmmaker Nathan Grossman of B-Reel Films, who will document the journey.

Young

The boat will be captained by professional race skipper Boris Herrmann and Malizia team founder Pierre Casiraghi, who have donated their time and skills to help Greta cross the Atlantic without flying. The voyage is jointly organised by Greta, Team Malizia, and B-Reel Films.

The Malizia team also developed the Malizia Ocean Challenge, a project to support ocean climate education and the monitoring of ocean CO2. This project is affiliated with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports work on environmental and climate change issues.

The boat will depart from the United Kingdom in mid-August and arrive in New York City approximately two weeks later, making no stops on the way. Exact departure and arrival dates will depend on the weather conditions.

Greta said: “The science is clear. We must start bending the emissions curve steeply downwards no later than 2020, if we still are to have a chance of staying below a 1,5 degrees of global temperature rise.

“We still have a window of time when things are in our own hands. But that window is closing fast. That is why I have decided to make this trip now. During the past year, millions of young people have raised their voice to make world leaders wake up to the climate and ecological emergency.

Humanity

“Over the next months, the events in New York and Santiago de Chile will show if they have listened. Together with many other young people across the Americas and the world, I will be there, even if the journey will be long and challenging.

“We will make our voices heard. It is our future on the line, and we must at least have a say in it. The science is clear and all we children are doing is communicating and acting on that united science. And our demand is for the world to unite behind the science.”

Mr Herrmann said: “Greta is amazingly courageous to be standing up against ignorance and injustice regarding the climate crisis. I am not surprised that she considers this trip as something perfectly achievable for her – taking into account her courage in speaking up in a loud and clear way even in front of the most powerful people.

“I am conscious about Pierre‘s and my responsibility. We will make sure she will reach New York in the safest way possible. I am thrilled that our sport ambition and sailing project can play a small but hopefully important role in increasing awareness for the most important challenge humanity faces today.

“I feel humbled that Greta accepted our offer as the lowest-carbon option to cross the Atlantic – despite the lack of comfort for her.”

Beauty

Mr Casiraghi said: “I believe in increasing awareness about rising global emissions and pollution due to human activity. Convincing Governments and international institutions to make the step and enforce laws that will protect mankind and biodiversity is of utmost importance for the future of humanity. 

“Greta is an ambassador who delivers a fundamental message both for our society and for the survival of future generations.

“Team Malizia and I are proud to take Greta across the Atlantic in this challenging mode of transport, unfortunately today this is the only way without fossil fuel emissions. Hopefully this will change in the near future. I respect Greta’s courage to take on this adventure and fully commit, sacrifice, and fight for probably the greatest challenge humanity faces.”

Mr Grossman said:“Like many I have been amazed by Greta and her fight to raise awareness about the climate crisis. In the documentary we get to follow from within how Greta goes from sitting all alone outside the Swedish parliament to becoming a world famous activist.

“On this trip I will capture Greta and the teams strenuous effort to get to the Americas with as little carbon emissions as possible, letting the audience close to both the challenges and beauty of travelling this way.”

This Article

Brendan Montague is editor of The Ecologist.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg will sail from Europe to north America in August, kicking off a climate tour through the Americas over the next few months.

The sailboat is outfitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to allow for a zero-carbon, trans-Atlantic voyage.

Greta will join large-scale climate demonstrations on September 20 and 27 and speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, hosted by Secretary General António Guterres in New York City on September 23.

Journey

Greta is taking a sabbatical year from school, and aims to attend a number of events during her time in North America, meeting with people most impacted by the climate and ecological emergency, climate activists, and decision-makers. She also plans to visit Canada and Mexico.

Greta will then travel to the annual UN climate conference (COP25) in Santiago, Chile, between December 2-13, with plans to visit other sites in South America that are important in tackling the climate crisis.

Greta doesn’t fly because of the tremendous amount of emissions caused by air travel – emissions that are strongly amplified due to the fact that they are released high-up in the atmosphere. She will therefore choose the least carbon-intensive modes of transportation throughout her travels across the Americas.

After months of research and considering different options for her journey, Greta will sail across the Atlantic in a zero-carbon racing boat called Malizia II, a foiling sailboat built in 2015, which is fitted with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity on board the vessel.

Greta will be joined on board the boat by her father Svante Thunberg and filmmaker Nathan Grossman of B-Reel Films, who will document the journey.

Young

The boat will be captained by professional race skipper Boris Herrmann and Malizia team founder Pierre Casiraghi, who have donated their time and skills to help Greta cross the Atlantic without flying. The voyage is jointly organised by Greta, Team Malizia, and B-Reel Films.

The Malizia team also developed the Malizia Ocean Challenge, a project to support ocean climate education and the monitoring of ocean CO2. This project is affiliated with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports work on environmental and climate change issues.

The boat will depart from the United Kingdom in mid-August and arrive in New York City approximately two weeks later, making no stops on the way. Exact departure and arrival dates will depend on the weather conditions.

Greta said: “The science is clear. We must start bending the emissions curve steeply downwards no later than 2020, if we still are to have a chance of staying below a 1,5 degrees of global temperature rise.

“We still have a window of time when things are in our own hands. But that window is closing fast. That is why I have decided to make this trip now. During the past year, millions of young people have raised their voice to make world leaders wake up to the climate and ecological emergency.

Humanity

“Over the next months, the events in New York and Santiago de Chile will show if they have listened. Together with many other young people across the Americas and the world, I will be there, even if the journey will be long and challenging.

“We will make our voices heard. It is our future on the line, and we must at least have a say in it. The science is clear and all we children are doing is communicating and acting on that united science. And our demand is for the world to unite behind the science.”

Mr Herrmann said: “Greta is amazingly courageous to be standing up against ignorance and injustice regarding the climate crisis. I am not surprised that she considers this trip as something perfectly achievable for her – taking into account her courage in speaking up in a loud and clear way even in front of the most powerful people.

“I am conscious about Pierre‘s and my responsibility. We will make sure she will reach New York in the safest way possible. I am thrilled that our sport ambition and sailing project can play a small but hopefully important role in increasing awareness for the most important challenge humanity faces today.

“I feel humbled that Greta accepted our offer as the lowest-carbon option to cross the Atlantic – despite the lack of comfort for her.”

Beauty

Mr Casiraghi said: “I believe in increasing awareness about rising global emissions and pollution due to human activity. Convincing Governments and international institutions to make the step and enforce laws that will protect mankind and biodiversity is of utmost importance for the future of humanity. 

“Greta is an ambassador who delivers a fundamental message both for our society and for the survival of future generations.

“Team Malizia and I are proud to take Greta across the Atlantic in this challenging mode of transport, unfortunately today this is the only way without fossil fuel emissions. Hopefully this will change in the near future. I respect Greta’s courage to take on this adventure and fully commit, sacrifice, and fight for probably the greatest challenge humanity faces.”

Mr Grossman said:“Like many I have been amazed by Greta and her fight to raise awareness about the climate crisis. In the documentary we get to follow from within how Greta goes from sitting all alone outside the Swedish parliament to becoming a world famous activist.

“On this trip I will capture Greta and the teams strenuous effort to get to the Americas with as little carbon emissions as possible, letting the audience close to both the challenges and beauty of travelling this way.”

This Article

Brendan Montague is editor of The Ecologist.

Ellie Goulding is one of several celebrities who have called on Boris Johnson to make tackling the world’s climate emergency a “top priority”.

Actor James Norton, wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq are also among the 12 stars who have written a letter urging the new Prime Minister to cut climate emissions to “net zero”.

The letter asks Mr Johnson to prioritise help for people to switch to electric cars, as well as plant more trees and make homes more climate-friendly with cleaner heating systems.

Zero

It warns: “There is no greater risk to life on earth than climate change. Taking ambitious action to end our contribution to climate change is essential to protect all species and the ecosystems that we all depend upon for survival.

“As Prime Minister, we are now writing to ask you to confirm that you will make tackling the climate emergency a top priority, and commit to ramping up the policies and investment needed to get us on track to net zero.”

The letter follows the decision by Theresa May’s Government to set in law a new target for the UK of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This means that emissions from cars, planes, buildings and farms must be urgently reduced and must not exceed the amount that could be removed from the air through measures such as tree-planting.

During the race to become Conservative Party leader, Mr Johnson tweeted that he would back a net zero target and make the UK a “global decarbonisation leader”.

Climate

The letter says Mr Johnson should now “commit to a 10-year economic programme” which would decarbonise homes, ban the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2030, triple the amount of electricity from solar and wind power and increase forest areas in the UK to soak up carbon emissions.

The celebrities who signed the letter are supporters of organisations which make up The Climate Coalition, a collection of more than 130 groups representing more than 15 million people across the UK.

Coalition members include aid agencies Cafod, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief, community groups such as the Women’s Institute and conservation bodies WWF, the National Trust and the Woodland Trust.

The latest move comes after more than 12,000 people travelled to Westminster last month to urge MPs to support measures that will end the UK’s contribution to climate change.

The Climate Coalition’s campaigns director Clara Goldsmith said: “Boris Johnson said that he would act on the climate crisis while he was campaigning to become Prime Minister. Now that he’s in Downing Street, he’s in a position to do so.

Growth

“The thousands of people – young and old – who have spoken to MPs in recent months about the need for action have made clear that the public support is there.”

The other celebrities who have signed the letter are Charles Dance, Iwan Rheon, Cel Spellman, Jack Savoretti, KT Tunstall, Lucy Siegle, Stuart Rideout and Rankin.

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: “We are leading the world in tackling climate change, going further and faster by becoming the first major economy to pass new laws for net zero emissions by 2050.

“Already we have cut emissions faster than any G7 country, and we will continue to embrace the opportunity of clean growth for the UK – including through our important bid to host crucial international climate talks next year.”

This Author

Julia Hunt is the PA entertainment correspondent.

A scheme to reverse declines in wildlife-rich dune habitats by getting the sands shifting again has been given a £4 million funding boost.

The project “dynamic dunescapes”, backed by the funding from the National Lottery, marks a move away from a decades-old approach to managing sand dunes by keeping them where they are with fencing and vegetation.

Sand dunes are home to rare plants and animals, with 70 species listed as conservation priorities including the natterjack toad, sand lizard and dune gentian, experts said.

Funding

But these important habitats have declined by a third since 1900 in the UK – and in Wales the situation is particularly acute with dune landscapes down by almost two-thirds.

Conservationists say dunes are naturally mobile and need to be moving to be effective habitats.

But previous management with fencing restricted public access and allowed invasive species of plants to become established, which prevented the dunes from moving.

This has turned landscapes which form a backdrop to many British beaches into sterile grassy hillocks which do not provide the habitat rare species need.

Using the funding, government conservation agency Natural England has teamed up with the National Trust, Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and Natural Resources Wales to create more dynamic sand dune landscapes.

Rare species

The project will conserve almost 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of sand dunes – some 35% of the total for England and Wales – and improve access for the public.

Conservation measures will include natural rabbit grazing, creating dune slacks or depressions that can be flooded, and removing invasive species.

The four-year scheme will also involve members of the public in monitoring wildlife and how the dunes are changing and train individuals and organisations in managing and researching the habitat.

Drew Bennellick, at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “In recent decades the approach has been to keep dunes where they are by using fencing and vegetation.

“We now know that this is bad news for some of the rare species that make their homes among our dunes and they need to be able to naturally move – to be dynamic dunescapes.

Landscapes

“It’s not easy to get the balance right – we need dunes to move but we don’t want them to end up in people’s gardens or taking over the beach-side car park.

“Thanks to this National Lottery funding and the expertise of the partnership organisations, this project can begin to find ways of addressing these pressing issues.”

Nicola Hutchinson, from wildlife charity Plantlife, said: “This project will radically revitalise our ailing dunes and the wealth of wildflowers they harbour.

“Re-injecting real dynamism into dunes will revitalise wild plants which may appear rooted to the spot but are always on the move and benefit from shifting sands.”

The project will concentrate on improving the condition of nine dune landscapes at: Anglesey and Gwynedd; Braunton Burrows, North Devon Coast: Carmarthenshire; Cumbrian Coast; Lincolnshire Sand Hills; North Cornwall Coast; Sefton Coast; Studland Dunes, Dorset; Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot.

This Author

Emily Beament is the PA environment correspondent.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.