MP calls to ban people eating dog meat in the UK

While it's illegal to sell dog meat in the UK, it's legal to eat it and cat meat - if the animal is killed humanely.

Dogs are seen in a cage for sale at a market in Yulin city, southern China's Guangxi province, 20 June 2016. Source: AAP

An MP has called for Prime Minister Theresa May to make it illegal to eat dog meat to maintain the UK's leading role in the field of animal protection.

In the UK, it is already illegal to sell dog meat. But if farmers humanely kill a dog they are allowed to eat the meat.

To put an end to the obscure law, Dr Lisa Cameron - Scottish National Party MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow - said the public would be "right behind legislation calling for a ban".

Dr Cameron, who is also the chair of the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group, said she didn't think any party would oppose the law.

"I don't imagine that there will be any party in parliament which would stand against that," she told BBC's Newsbeat.

The call was backed by Foreign Office Minister and Conservative MP Sir Alan Duncan.

Dog meat is still consumed in numerous Asian countries. Dog meat dishes are more common in South Korea and China. 

Taiwan recently banned the selling, eating and buying of dog and cat meat following a series of cruelty cases that caused outrage.

The Humane Society International estimates nearly 30 million dogs are killed every year for human consumption. China is believed to kill a third of all dog's consumed for food.

In Australia, the consumption of dog or cat meat is accepted in every state and territory other than South Australia. As long as the animal is killed humanely.

A vendor waits for buyers beside dogs in cages at a market in Yulin city, southern China's Guangxi province, 21 June 2016. Source: AAP

It is illegal to sell dog or cat meat in Australia (besides South Australia), under the Standards and Codes act for meat processing.

The RSPCA state cats and dogs hold a special place in Australian culture and the law should be overturned to ban the practice.

"Cats and dogs hold a specific place in Australian society as companion animals. Eating cats and dogs is therefore offensive to mainstream Australian cultural values," the RSPCA website reads.

"RSPCA Australia believes that state governments should follow the lead of South Australia and create specific offences for eating cats and dogs, either within their animal welfare legislation, or within their general criminal legislation."