UK Government Establishes Generational Strategy for Animal Welfare Reform

The United Kingdom Government has formally introduced its comprehensive Animal Welfare Strategy, detailing what officials describe as generational reforms spanning companion animals, farmed livestock, and wildlife. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds announced the strategy on Monday, December 22, stating the initiative is designed to rectify long-standing legislative deficiencies and persistent welfare deficits across the nation.

This framework builds upon recent legislation, including the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which addressed puppy smuggling and livestock worrying. For companion animals, the strategy commits to eradicating puppy farming, characterized by the overbreeding and substandard care of breeding dogs. Furthermore, the government intends to begin consultations on a complete prohibition of electric shock collars for dogs, a measure supported by organizations such as the RSPCA. Consideration is also being given to implementing a mandatory licensing system for domestic rescue and rehoming organizations to ensure adherence to stringent operational checks.

Significant overhauls are slated for farmed animal welfare, focusing on phasing out intensive confinement systems. This includes eliminating colony cages for laying hens, which currently house approximately 21% of UK hens, and discontinuing the use of pig farrowing crates. Reforms also mandate the introduction of welfare standards for farmed fish, covering humane slaughter protocols, and address humane stunning methods for pigs, specifically exploring alternatives to carbon dioxide. The strategy additionally promotes the adoption of slower-growing chicken breeds to mitigate issues like lameness. Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, noted that phasing out these cages could benefit over 7 million hens and 150,000 pigs annually.

Protections for wildlife form another cornerstone of the new policy package. The strategy includes a definitive ban on the use of cruel snare traps in England, devices known to cause suffering to non-target species. A close season will be introduced to safeguard hares during their breeding period. Moreover, new Livestock Worrying laws will grant courts the authority to impose unlimited fines, enhancing protection for farm animals against dog attacks in England and Wales. The government also intends to ban trail hunting, citing evidence that the practice is sometimes used as a cover for illegal wild animal hunting. The entire strategy is targeted for delivery by the end of 2030.