England Advances Animal Welfare Strategy with New Pledges and Measures
England's animal welfare strategy aims to enhance the wellbeing of wildlife, farm animals, and pets, with various measures set to be implemented following consultation.
Key pledges include phasing out cages for laying hens and cramped farrowing crates for pigs, replacing CO2 stunning of pigs with a less distressing method, and introducing new regulations for farmed fish.
There is a call for England to adopt a close season to protect breeding hares during their rearing period, similar to most European countries; former environment secretary George Eustice has referenced Victorian precedents in support.
The strategy also involves bans on snare traps and trail hunting, the latter already prohibited in Scotland; however, implementing this in England will require delicate negotiations involving countryside groups and political considerations.
Ministers intend to use trade policy to protect local farmers should higher-welfare standards result in increased imports from lower-welfare suppliers, ensuring fair competition.
Regarding pet welfare, the UK has around 10.6 million dogs. Proposed measures include a renters' rights bill to assist private tenants in keeping pets, a new dog breeder registration scheme, and a review of international rescue schemes; these will necessitate sufficient enforcement and inspection capabilities.
The strategy recognizes the scale of industry activity, with over 1 billion chickens and approximately 8 million turkeys reared annually, many turkeys slaughtered before Christmas, alongside a noted winter peak in pet abandonments.
