My colleagues and I take the welfare of all animals very seriously and the UK has some of the highest welfare standards in the world.
Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Government has delivered an ambitious legislative programme, bringing significant improvements for animals both in the UK and abroad. Ministers are firmly committed to maintaining the UK’s strong track record on animal welfare and to delivering continued improvements, both in the course of this Parliament and beyond.
The Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare sets out the ambition to improve the welfare of farmed animals across the board while working closely with the industry to ensure the sector is able to deal with the significant challenges currently being faced around the world, and still move towards sustainable higher welfare farming practices.
I have noted your comments in relation to the use of cages for animals and will continue to monitor this issue closely. However, I understand that my ministerial colleagues do not believe that the time is right to consult on cage reforms, recognising some of the challenges that numerous sectors have faced in recent years. There is a need to work carefully with the pig and poultry industries, and any decisions made on cage reforms would need to fully consider the implications for both animal welfare and the continued viability of the sectors concerned.
I am informed that the market is already driving the move away from using cages for laying hen production, with over 60 per cent of eggs coming from free range production. Regarding pigs, the UK also has a significant outdoor pig sector, with 40 per cent of the national sow breeding herd farrow freely on outdoor pig units with no option of confinement.
Regarding pigs, the UK is ahead of most other pig producing countries in terms of zero confinement farrowing, in that 40 per net of the national sow breeding herd farrow freely on outdoor pig units with no option of confinement.
I am assured that the Government will continue to work with the sector to maintain and enhance high standards of welfare. For example, the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway will prioritise areas for additional improvement in the health and welfare for pigs, cattle, sheep and poultry. I know that one of the Government’s priorities for the pathway includes supporting producers to transition away from confinement systems as well as to other higher welfare practices and systems.
I do share your concerns about the issues raised and support the gradual and continual improvement in farm animal health and welfare that the Pathway provides through partnership between government, farmers, vets, the wider industry and the supply chain.
As your local MP, I will follow this closely on your behalf and, of course, if you have specific concerns about the welfare of an animal, I recommend reporting it to the police or the RSPCA.