England Launches Comprehensive New Animal Welfare Strategy
England has introduced a new animal welfare strategy aiming to improve conditions for wildlife, farm animals, and pets. The plan includes wide-ranging reforms but will take years to implement fully, as many measures are still subject to consultation.
Significant farm animal reforms announced include ending cages for laying hens and banning cramped farrowing crates for pigs. Additionally, the strategy proposes replacing the current use of carbon dioxide for stunning pigs with a less distressing method and implementing new rules for the welfare of farmed fish. A close-season measure to protect breeding hares by banning hunting during their rearing months aligns England with existing European practices and is described as overdue.
On pet welfare, the strategy incorporates a renters’ rights bill aimed at helping people keep dogs in private rentals, introduces a new dog breeder registration scheme to curb maltreatment, and plans to review international rescue schemes with enforcement measures deemed essential. Notably, the UK has about 10.6 million dogs. The farm animal statistics highlight that more than 1 billion chickens and around 8 million turkeys are reared annually, with many turkeys slaughtered before Christmas. Winter is also a peak period for pet abandonments.
The strategy references previous Labour-era pledges to ban snare traps and trail hunting; Scotland has already banned trail hunting, and these issues may cause friction with countryside groups as policies progress. It acknowledges the potential adverse impact of higher welfare standards on farmers and assures that trade policies will protect them from imports produced under lower welfare standards. Ministers emphasize the importance of balancing animal welfare with owners’ interests and improving enforcement.
The strategy underlines the broader aim of treating animals as sentient beings, though some topics—such as wildlife damage by pets, emissions from intensive farming, and meat reduction—are not fully addressed. The debate on these issues is expected to be slow, with many matters remaining under consultation and no immediate changes forthcoming.
