Lord Ashcroft: A woke country with a barbaric practice. Why Norway should halt its bloody slaughter of hundreds of whales.

I believe that so prosperous a nation can and should stop the apparent pain and trauma that the mammals suffer when harpooned.

Richard Holden: Dogs have been a comfort during the shutdown. There’s more we can do to protect them – and other animals.

Sadly, reports of thefts have surged in the UK, and now litter many local Facebook groups. And then there’s puppy-smuggling.

Stanley Johnson: Next year’s climate change conference should take its lead on carbon pricing from this Agreement

The deal’s recognition of the part to be played by this measure is a tremendously important move forward in the battle against climate change.

Frank Zilberkweit: Restricting personal choice by banning fur would not be a Brexit bonus

These lobbyists have a Trojan Horse agenda: this debate has consequences for other animal materials including wool, leather and food production.

Brave New World

We fear the worst after Cummings’ departure, but Johnson must now make the best of it. That means a Cabinet shuffle.

Theresa Villiers: Ministers need to ensure Britain’s trade partners meet our agricultural standards

The UK market for food and groceries is a massive prize for any country to be allowed greater access to it. We should not sell ourselves short.

Luke Stanley: We need a greenprint for restoring native species across our country

Here are four actions that the Government could take to support communities to restore British species in their local areas.

The EU trade talks. Whether there’s a deal or not, we will be out of transition soon. Ministers should be ready to make the most of it.

The Government should be mulling some quick Brexit wins come the New Year – ways of using freedoms that we don’t have during implementation.

Anthony Browne: Are we really going to pass a law that would harm many of the world’s poorest people?

Such would be the effect of a well-intentioned but ill thought-out amendment to the Agriculture Bill that will come to the Commons tomorrow.

Andrew Bowie: Evidence today that Ministers won’t negotiate trade deals that expose British farmers to unfair competition

I, for one, see this new Commission as further evidence that the Government will take expert advice that benefits farmers and consumers.

Henry Smith: Britain must show international leadership on wildlife and the environment

This isn’t just a green issue: cruel animal exploitation is seriously increasing the risk of future diseases jumping the species gap.

WATCH: Lord Ashcroft on the breeding of lions in captivity for slaughter

ConservativeHome’s proprietor explains that his focus isn’t on trophy hunting per se – but rather on the raising of lions for killing.

Shanker Singham: EU-style regulation on animal welfare would be the wrong step for Britain

Some of the solutions being proposed for UK trade talks would make it a pariah state in the WTO community.

Anthony Browne: We can and must strike a US trade deal that protects animal welfare

There is precedent for using tariffs to reward those who meet higher standards, and major American producers would be on board.

Ben Goldsmith: Younger, leave-backing voters want a greener, environmentally-aware Conservative Party

We have a tremendous opportunity to lead the response, and we must not cede any ground to a newly energised anti-environment lobby.