We warmly welcome the UK Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, released today (22 December), as a landmark step forward in protecting farmed animals across England.

Ending the cage age

We are delighted to see the strategy include a commitment to phase out the use of cruel cages for laying hens, which will positively impact over 7 million hens annually who would otherwise suffer behind bars – unable to forage in the dirt, dustbathe, see the light of day or fully stretch their wings.

The strategy also pledges to End the Cage Age for the 150,00 mother pigs (sows) who are forced to raise their piglets behind bars in farrowing crates. These cages are so restrictive that the sows cannot turn around or nuzzle their young, leading to severe physical and mental suffering.

Having campaigned for many years to End the Cage Age for all farmed animals in the UK, this is extremely positive progress.

Goodbye to inhumane slaughter

It’s encouraging to see a move away from CO2 slaughter for pigs included in the strategy. Around 90% of pigs sent for slaughter in the UK are currently killed using CO2. This cruel method involves lowering pigs into a CO2 chamber, where they panic, fight for breath and eventually suffocate. It can take as long as 60 seconds for them to lose consciousness.

Likewise, we are very excited to finally see a commitment to legislate on welfare at time of slaughter for farmed fish – something we have long called for, so that aquatic animals can receive the same levels of protection as terrestrial animals in the food system.

A lack of labelling progress  

Despite much progress set out for farmed animals, we’re disappointed that mandatory method of production (MMOP) labelling is missing from the Animal Welfare Strategy. Encouragingly, the Defra Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds MP announced in Parliament last week (18 December) that the Government will continue to work on labelling separately.

A staggering 99% respondents to the Government’s Fairer Food Labelling consultation backed mandatory labelling for both domestic and imported products. Introducing MMOP labelling on all meat would be a huge step towards transforming the lives of millions of farmed animals. Without it, shoppers will remain largely in the dark when choosing which products to purchase and animals will continue to suffer behind vague or, even misleading food labels.

We will continue our campaign for Honest Labelling so shoppers can make purchases that align with their values.

A huge breakthrough

In response to the stratergy release our wonderful Patron, Dame Joanna Lumley, said:

I have great hopes for this new Animal Welfare Strategy!

The Government committed to delivering the biggest boost for farmed animal welfare in a generation, and this is the beginning of fulfilling that commitment. If implemented in full, the farmed animal policies in the strategy would improve the welfare of millions of farmed animals every year. I applaud the Government for its commitment and now urge them to swiftly deliver on these promises.

Anthony Field, our Head of UK, said:

The Animal Welfare Strategy is a huge breakthrough in protecting farmed animals across Britain. We warmly welcome it and stand ready to work with Government to turn these commitments into real policy change that will improve the lives of millions of UK farmed animals. Together, we can ensure Britain continues to set a global example in farmed animal welfare.

Calls for a swift timeline

The Government will need to consult on each of the proposals, and it must do so speedily to deliver on the promise the strategy holds for improving the welfare of millions of farmed animals every year.

Please take a moment to let the Government know you welcome the strategy, and that it must now be backed by a swift timeline to make these plans a reality.   

Animal Welfare Strategy: A Christmas gift for farmed animals