The strategy will tackle puppy farming and the snaring of wild animals.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has shared the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, which it says will protect and support the lives of pets, farmed animals and wild animals.
The generational reforms will seek to end practices such as puppy farming and puppy smuggling, as well as continuing to enforce tough laws against livestock worrying.
Companion animals are set to benefit from reformed dog breeding practices to improve canine health and welfare. This would reduce the amount of dogs becoming unwell, as well as putting an end to puppy farming.
The government will consider the introduction of licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations so they can complete relevant checks. It will also consult on the banning of electric shock collars.
The Strategy commits to promoting responsible dog ownership, with the view of protecting public safety.
Its measures for farmed animals will see the government move away from confinement systems, such as colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates. It will address welfare issues arising from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs, as well as introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish. The government will also seek to promote the use of slow-growing meat chicken breeds.
Wild animals will benefit from bans on snare traps and trail hunting, which the government believes is used as a smokescreen for hunting. It is to introduce a close season for hares, reducing the number of adult hares shot and the number of young hares left motherless.
Thomas Schultz-Jagow, director of advocacy and prevention at RSPCA, said: “The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals. People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.
“As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to give all animals the protection they deserve."
The government will seek to deliver its strategy by the end of 2030.
Image © Nicole Piepgras/Shutterstock.com
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