Labour’s Animal Welfare Strategy: protecting animals at home, on the farm, and in the wild
I am proud to welcome the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy. This is a landmark step that reflects the values of our community. These reforms will protect pets, farm animals, and wildlife, ending cruel practices and ensuring the high standards of care that local people expect.
Legislation, regulations and current practices need to be reformed as they have not kept pace with the latest evidence, and there have been instances of individuals taking advantage of loopholes.
The Animal Welfare Strategy, launched today by the Environment Secretary, will help fix this and deliver the most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation – in line with our manifesto promise.
The Strategy further enhances protections for dogs and wildlife, building on new laws that put an end to puppy smuggling.
The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out how the government will deliver improved welfare for companion animals by:
Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, preventing animals from becoming unwell and ending puppy farming where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, often overbred, and denied proper care.
Consulting on a ban on the use of electric shock collars due to the possible harm to our pets.
Considering the introduction of new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure rescues have the right checks in place.
Improved welfare for farmed animals by:
Moving away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and the use of pig farrowing crates.
Addressing the welfare issues that arise from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs because of animal welfare concerns.
Introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to spare them avoidable pain.
Farm animals in England and Wales will be better protected from dog attacks thanks to new Livestock Worrying laws. Tougher penalties and greater police powers will help relieve the emotional and financial strain these attacks place on farming communities.
Protection for wild animals by:
Banning trail hunting amidst concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting.
Banning snare traps because they cause suffering to animals and can catch pets.
Introducing a close season for hares which should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, meaning that fewer young hares are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation.
I am a long standing supporter of animal rights and I have consistently raised these issues with the Government. Below are some links to Written Parliamentary Questions I have asked on animal welfare:
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
The Animal Welfare Strategy builds on this government’s proven track record in delivering reforms for animals. This includes introducing new, world-leading standards for zoos earlier this year and supporting passage of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill.
I am grateful to everyone from Stockport constituency who has contacted me about animal welfare since my election to the House of Commons in December 2019. I will continue to monitor progress on these important issues.