UK Government Unveils Ambitious Animal Welfare Strategy Including Bans on Puppy Farming and Trail Hunting
The UK government has unveiled an ambitious Animal Welfare Strategy proposing significant reforms, including bans on puppy farming, trail hunting, and snare traps. The strategy also includes a consultation on banning shock collars and new licensing requirements for rescue and rehoming organisations, aiming to raise welfare standards across the home, farm, and wild.
The policy introduces tighter farm welfare measures, such as ending confinement systems like colony cages for hens and pig-farrowing crates. It also promotes measures to avoid pain for farmed fish and encourages slower-growing chicken breeds. Puppy farming will be banned because of concerns over dogs being kept in appalling conditions leading to long-term health issues. DEFRA guidance has been used to underpin new breeder licensing and welfare requirements.
Trail hunting is set to be banned, with Labour criticizing the move, associating it with fox hunting, which they previously banned in 2004. Snare traps will also be banned, and new restrictions on hare shooting will be introduced.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds described the strategy as the most ambitious animal welfare plan in a generation, with the goal of raising standards in homes, farms, and the wild. The reforms have been welcomed by animal charities and retailers like Waitrose, with the RSPCA's Thomas Schultz-Jagow calling it a significant step forward.
However, the policies have drawn criticism from opposition and rural groups, who described them as a ‘war on the countryside.’ Conservatives argue that Labour neglects rural Britain, with Victoria Atkins accusing Labour of protecting foreign imports. Nigel Farage and the Countryside Alliance have also criticized the policy.
