Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th October 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Government criticised for dropping farm cages consultation
Farrowing cages are still used for about 60 per cent of sows.

RSPCA describes move as another “broken promise”.

The RSPCA has criticised the Government for abandoning a planned consultation on ending the use of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.

Last year, the Government announced that it was planning a consultation on the issue following a parliamentary petition which was signed by more than 100,000 people.

However, last month, in response a question about the consultation from a fellow MP, farming minister Mark Spencer revealed that the Government was no longer going ahead with it.

Mr Spencer said the Government did not believe that the time was right owing to “the challenges the laying hen and pig sectors are facing.”

Around 10 million hens are kept in cages in the UK, although the proportion of eggs coming from caged hens has fallen from 47 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2017 to just 21 per cent in the first quarter of 2023. About 60 per cent of sows are kept in farrowing crates just before and after giving birth.

A new survey, commissioned by the RSPCA, found that 84 per cent of the public opposes laying hens being kept in cages. Although over half of the people surveyed hadn’t heard of farrowing crates, which are used to protect piglets from being accidentily crushed by the sow, when shown a photo, 78 per cent said they were opposed to them.

Emma Slawinski, director of policy at the RSPCA, said: “We are so disappointed to see the UK Government quietly dropping their promise to ban cages for hens and pigs this summer. This was the final straw following a litany of broken promises for animals.

“The UK Government says it remains committed to leading the world in animal welfare, but they have continuously back-tracked on vital animal welfare issues from pigs through to puppies.”

The RSPCA’s criticism of the Government over farm cages was made as part of a broader attack which listed 15 promises the charity accuses the Government of breaking.

The Government has defended its record on animal welfare in the farming sector.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
 
“We continue to work with the sector to improve the production of healthier, higher welfare animals through our Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.