{"id":264419,"date":"2025-07-14T14:20:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/264419\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T14:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:20:09","slug":"labour-has-not-implemented-a-single-animal-welfare-pledge-say-campaigners-animal-welfare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/264419\/","title":{"rendered":"Labour has not implemented a single animal welfare pledge, say campaigners | Animal welfare"},"content":{"rendered":"

Labour has failed to implement any of its promised animal welfare policies in its first year in office and also weakened protections for chickens<\/a>, campaigners have said.<\/p>\n

Among the pledges that have not been implemented are banning the sale of animals with cropped ears, prohibiting imports of hunting trophies and banning imports of foie gras<\/a>. Some relate to the UK as a whole, others to England, Wales and Scotland and the proposed ban on trail hunting just to England and Wales.<\/p>\n

Additionally, earlier this month, the Labour government laid an amendment regulation in parliament<\/a> to take effect on 22 July removing a legal protection under European regulations<\/a> that prohibits the carrying of chickens and turkeys by their legs, which causes pain and suffering.<\/p>\n

Edie Bowles, the executive director of the Animal Law Foundation, said: \u201cAs an animal lawyer I have become accustomed to the disregard shown towards animal protection legislation, whether that be the broken promises around creating the much-needed improvements, through to enforcing the laws that are in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact the government\u2019s decision to dilute a legal protection for chickens and turkeys has laid bare something that should cause concern among anyone who cares about animals. The government has shown that should it ever become inconvenient to follow the law to protect animals, the government will simply change the law to allow the practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The government has recognised that there is \u201cmuch evidence to suggest that upright catching by the body is the optimum handling method to directly minimise welfare harms.\u201d But it raised concerns about the cost implications.<\/p>\n

Claire Bass, the senior director of campaigns and public affairs for Humane World for Animals<\/a> UK, said: \u201cDuring a full year in office the government has found no parliamentary time to introduce the promised stronger protections for animals, such as a ban on hunting trophy imports.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shortly before coming into power, Steve Reed, now environment secretary, promised the Labour government would deliver \u201cthe biggest boost for animal welfare in a generation\u201d<\/a>. As well as the policies mentioned above, he said Labour would:<\/p>\n