10 animal welfare challenges for new UK government revealed by RSPCA

10 animal welfare challenges for new UK government revealed by RSPCA

The RSPCA has issued a ten-point challenge to the future incoming Westminster government featuring goals to improve animal including farm animals.

As well as new and improved laws stopping live animal exports and non-stun slaughter and ending Breed Specific legislation, the RSPCA’s proposals include initiatives to protect farmers’ livelihoods and farm animal welfare standards.

RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said: “Our 10-point manifesto challenges the next government to protect and improve animal welfare.”

“The RSPCA also wants UK farmers to be rewarded for investing in higher welfare farming systems, and for there to be mandatory method of production and slaughter labelling so consumers can make informed choices about the food they eat.”

Bowles continued: “A future government must make sure that UK farmers are not left at a disadvantage to other producers in any existing and future trade agreements, by ensuring that all imports are consistent with our own high animal welfare standards.  That means banning imports of products such as chlorinated chicken and hormone beef.

“The RSPCA also wants UK farmers to be rewarded for investing in higher welfare farming systems, and for there to be mandatory method of production and slaughter labelling so consumers can make informed choices about the food they eat.

The animal charity is also urging the government to review the current approach to dealing with bovine TB.

Bowles added: “We recognise that bTB causes significant distress to farmers as well as wildlife and believe there should be more focus on cattle health and welfare plans to limit cattle-to-cattle transmission, improve testing and the reduction of cattle movements especially from high-risk to edge and low risk areas and an improved funding system.

“And finally, we strongly believe that a compassionate society should be built from the roots up, and that includes ensuring that animal welfare is taught in all schools. This approach should be embraced by government policies and laws that set a framework of what is acceptable in society and also ensure that compassion towards animals remains at the heart of our culture and way of life.”

RSPCA’s manifesto

  • Higher welfare farming

  • An end to live animal exports

  • An end to Breed Specific Legislation

  • Increased sentencing for animal cruelty offences

  • Animal sentience recognised in law and an Animal Welfare Commissioner

  • High animal welfare standards in free trade agreements

  • A ban on non-stun slaughter

  • Animal welfare education in schools

  • Local authority funding

  • An alternative evidence-based approach to stamping out bovine TB

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