Delivering for Animals

Thank you to everyone who invited me to attend the ‘Delivering for Animals’ event earlier this year in February to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. As I outlined in an earlier post, I’m so pleased to see the changes we have introduced in the Strategy published at the end of last year.

Since launching the animal welfare strategy, our Government has already opened two consultations. One is on the commitment to phase out colony cages for laying hens and the other is on improving the welfare of lambs during castration and tail docking. A consultation on banning trail hunting is also due to be launched soon, which I know many constituents will be really pleased about too as we are committed to ending this cruel smokescreen that has allowed so many animals to suffer for too long.

We recognise that each sector and animal species has its own needs and challenges. This means a number of different approaches are needed, involving people from many different areas of expertise, including industry, animal welfare organisations and individuals. As well as moving quickly, it is also important we create lasting change and ensure a legacy we can all be proud of.

That’s why we are delivering improved welfare for companion animals by taking steps like:

• Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, preventing animals from becoming unwell and ending puppy farming

• 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

• Promoting responsible dog ownership to protect public safety,

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.

• Promoting the use of slow growing meat chicken breeds,

And ensuring we are protecting wild animals too, through our commitments to:

• 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 so pleased to give you my full assurances that I will continue to support our Government as it presses forward with its plans to deliver the most ambitious reforms to animal welfare in a generation. I really hope you are as pleased as I am to have seen some of the great steps we are taking, and please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.