Norman Baker to receive prestigious RSPCA Award

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jun 2003

Norman has received the award for his work in the House of Commons

The Lord Erskine Award will be presented to Mr Baker on Saturday 28 June

Local MP and Lib Dem Animal Welfare Spokesman Norman Baker is to be honoured with the RSPCA's prestigious Lord Erskine Award in recognition of his important contribution to animal welfare.

The award will be presented to Mr Baker by the Society's President, Richard Ryder, at the Annual General Meeting at 10.30am on Saturday 28 June at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull. The prize is named after Lord Erskine of Restormel who successfully introduced a Bill in 1809 to 'prevent malicious and wanton cruelty to animals.'

Norman Baker has tackled the government on a range of animal welfare issues from animal experiments to hunting with dogs. The Lord Erskine prize is the latest in a string of awards for Norman Baker. They include:

· 1998 Best Newcomer in the Green Ribbon Parliamentary Awards

· 2001-02 Inquisitor of the Year in the Zurich/Spectator Awards

· 2002 Channel Four Opposition Politician of the Year

Speaking about the award, Norman Baker says:

"I am extremely honoured to receive this prestigious award from the RSPCA. As animal welfare spokesman for the Lib Dems I have tried to put pressure on the government to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained at only the highest level, and shall continue to do so."