Denmark, which is battling underground animal sex tourism, moved a step closer to banning bestiality on Tuesday.

The parliament held the first reading of a proposal that would ban the practice. The proposal was first introduced last October.

“An animal by its very nature cannot say no. An animal by its very nature also has a hard time proving that the animal has been hurt by a sexual act," Agriculture Minister Dan Jørgensen said in parliament, according to The Local. "We need new legislation that ensures that the consideration of the animal comes first.”

The only opponents of the law are members of the Liberal Alliance, a libertarian party. “Best case, this is a superficial law. Worst case, it is political populism and moralism,” Liberal Alliance's Joachim Olsen said.

Jørgensen originally introduced the proposal out of concern for the country's reputation as a destination for bestiality tourism. Tours for the purpose of animal sex in the country have been getting attention since 2007.

The proposal would be an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act for 2015, which already makes harm against animals illegal.

Bengt Holst, the head of Denmark's animal ethics committee, said in October that the amendment is unnecessary.

There will be two more readings of the proposal before a final vote. The amendment is expected to pass.