May 17, 2021

UK launches action plan for animal welfare

The United Kingdom has launched its first action plan to improve the welfare and conservation of animals.

The plan, called Action Plan for Animal Welfare, is expected to revolutionise the treatment of animals in the UK and introduce measures to protect the welfare of animals abroad. It was launched by Environment Secretary George Eustice, recognising animals as sentient in law and committing to a range of new welfare measures to protect pets, livestock and wild animals.

For farm animals, these include: examining the use of farrowing crates; ending the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter; introducing new measures to improving farm animal welfare during transport; improving farm animal welfare at slaughter; and incentivising farmers to improve animal health and welfare through a future farming policy.

- UK Government