{"id":5901,"date":"2025-12-22T10:05:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T10:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=5901"},"modified":"2025-12-22T10:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T10:05:17","slug":"ministers-defend-most-ambitious-animal-welfare-strategy-in-generation-before-publication-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=5901","title":{"rendered":"Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 before publication \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6949107b8f089a379a1e3207&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&amp;utm_source=369e87bd-df6e-471d-b11b-95009aad5ec5&amp;utm_content=immediately\\&quot;&gt;a summary&lt;\/a&gt; from the &lt;strong&gt;Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs&lt;\/strong&gt; of what\u2019s in the animal welfare strategy.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ea648206-8c14-4889-be4a-0fd366f1c865&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Improved welfare for companion animals &lt;\/strong&gt;by:&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, preventing animals from becoming unwell and ending puppy farming&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Consulting on a ban on the use of electric shock collars due to the possible harm to our pets&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Considering the introduction of new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure rescues have the right checks in place&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Promoting responsible dog ownership to protect public safety&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Improved welfare for farmed animals&lt;\/strong&gt; by:&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Moving away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and the use of pig farrowing crates&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Addressing the welfare issues that arise from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs because of animal welfare concerns&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to spare them avoidable pain&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Promoting the use of slow growing meat chicken breeds&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protection for wild animals&lt;\/strong&gt; by:&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Banning trail hunting amidst concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Banning snare traps because they cause suffering to animals and can catch pets&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Introducing a close season for hares which should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, meaning that fewer young hares are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3fe285d8-9caa-4c52-801c-dd13367f1fb7&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766396027000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.33\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766396192000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766396192000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.36&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;What's in government's new animal welfare strategy?&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Mon 22 Dec 2025 09.38 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Mon 22 Dec 2025 09.26 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. Parliament is in recess, ministers, like everyone else, are getting ready for Christmas, but the government does have a big announcement today \u2013 its animal welfare strategy. The document is being published later today, but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already published a good summary &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&amp;utm_source=369e87bd-df6e-471d-b11b-95009aad5ec5&amp;utm_content=immediately\\&quot;&gt;here&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3b818c78-17d2-4945-bbe5-a376ded4f9ee&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;There are multiple strands to what is being proposed. As &lt;strong&gt;Helena Horton&lt;\/strong&gt; reported at the weekend, there are plans to ban trail hunting and shooting hares during most of the year.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;72e0966f-496c-446c-90be-6d387399d473&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Shooting hares in England to be banned for most of the year&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1d46478e-4d50-4665-80bb-5706ca0317b3&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2025\/dec\/20\/shooting-hares-england-ban-trail-hunting-animal-welfare-law&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And there will be higher welfare standards for farmed animals, including the banning of colony cages for chickens, and pig farrowing crates.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;36477812-47ad-4838-b416-5f636b9da729&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Hen cages and pig farrowing crates to be outlawed in England&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c419e792-b6ef-4961-b3b5-39efcb004f9c&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/22\/government-outlaw-hen-cages-pig-farrowing-crates-england&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/conservatives\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Conservatives&lt;\/a&gt; are claiming this will lead to British farmers being undercut by rivals from countries where standards are lower. In her response to the plans, &lt;strong&gt;Victoria Atkins&lt;\/strong&gt;, the shadow environment secretary, said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2626d023-c9f3-4669-933e-e8a6364a5a9d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;While it is good to see the government taking forward Conservative policies to tackle puppy smuggling and livestock worrying, Labour is yet again favouring foreign farmers over British farmers by allowing substandard foreign imports to undercut our already-high welfare standards.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Labour have snuck this announcement out just before Christmas to avoid scrutiny, because they know that this will be another hammerblow to farming profitability. Once again, they have shown that they simply don\u2019t care about rural Britain.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;87f6d733-60c3-443b-97f3-6d38240a01b0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tom Bradshaw&lt;\/strong&gt;, president of the National Farmers\u2019 Union, was on the Today programme this morning and he echoed these concerns \u2013 although his language was less alarmist than Atkins\u2019.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;208bf0c7-3755-4149-b82b-94c974442b8e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Bradshaw told the programme:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;67816f70-8368-4f4b-8ab2-2cc59629b822&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve seen from history that, if we don\u2019t implement the changes that we want to have in our production systems here within our import standards, all we do is export our industry overseas.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We saw that with our pig industry back in 1999 where we used to produce 80% of our pork, but now we only produce about 45% \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We\u2019ve got to make sure that we don\u2019t drive food price inflation by adding a cost burden to the production system. The battery cages that have been banned are still in use in countries around the world, particularly in some of our Eastern European counterparts where we are importing eggs from those systems.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;So what we in the National Farmers\u2019 Union want is a system of fairness so that, if we have higher animal health and welfare standards here, then our imports have to meet those same standards of production.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a84a447a-afc1-4854-be40-a40d6566b192&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Emma Reynolds&lt;\/strong&gt;, the environment secretary, has defended the plans, calling them \u201cthe most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dde5a8b3-2bb3-4622-a63d-c85569630608&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;There is not much in the diary for today, but we are getting a No 10 lobby briefing at 11.30am.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;42e5f1d2-8757-4e1f-b1a2-e0945efbcdc6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;992c2c1b-f284-4327-82ac-3f1cab9e6bb1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\\&quot;&gt;given up posting from its official accounts on X&lt;\/a&gt;, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;68619d09-9aee-4916-ad74-752edc8e6218&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;25213480-5bc2-49e7-975d-f8871259fbae&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766395570000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.26\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766396332000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.38\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766395570000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.26\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.26&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 as NFU claims it could undermine British farming&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Mon 22 Dec 2025 09.38 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Mon 22 Dec 2025 09.26 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1766397916774}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"src-component-172791_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"src-component-172791\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"src-component-172791_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6949107b8f089a379a1e3207\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">What&#8217;s in government&#8217;s new animal welfare strategy?<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&amp;utm_source=369e87bd-df6e-471d-b11b-95009aad5ec5&amp;utm_content=immediately\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a summary<\/a> from the <strong>Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs<\/strong> of what\u2019s in the animal welfare strategy.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg><strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">Improved welfare for companion animals <\/strong>by:<\/p>\n<p>-Reforming dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, preventing animals from becoming unwell and ending puppy farming<\/p>\n<p>-Consulting on a ban on the use of electric shock collars due to the possible harm to our pets<\/p>\n<p>-Considering the introduction of new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure rescues have the right checks in place<\/p>\n<p>-Promoting responsible dog ownership to protect public safety<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">Improved welfare for farmed animals<\/strong> by:<\/p>\n<p>-Moving away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and the use of pig farrowing crates<\/p>\n<p>-Addressing the welfare issues that arise from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs because of animal welfare concerns<\/p>\n<p>-Introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to spare them avoidable pain<\/p>\n<p>-Promoting the use of slow growing meat chicken breeds<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">Protection for wild animals<\/strong> by:<\/p>\n<p>-Banning trail hunting amidst concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting<\/p>\n<p>-Banning snare traps because they cause suffering to animals and can catch pets<\/p>\n<p>-Introducing a close season for hares which should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, meaning that fewer young hares are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/22\/animal-welfare-farming-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6949107b8f089a379a1e3207&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6949107b8f089a379a1e3207&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 before publication \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 before publication \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/22\/animal-welfare-farming-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6949107b8f089a379a1e3207#block-6949107b8f089a379a1e3207\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 as NFU claims it could undermine British farming<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. Parliament is in recess, ministers, like everyone else, are getting ready for Christmas, but the government does have a big announcement today \u2013 its animal welfare strategy. The document is being published later today, but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already published a good summary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&amp;utm_source=369e87bd-df6e-471d-b11b-95009aad5ec5&amp;utm_content=immediately\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There are multiple strands to what is being proposed. As <strong>Helena Horton<\/strong> reported at the weekend, there are plans to ban trail hunting and shooting hares during most of the year.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"472b14be-e9ee-4a0a-9a66-6d9886206a8f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Shooting hares in England to be banned for most of the year&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;472b14be-e9ee-4a0a-9a66-6d9886206a8f&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2025\/dec\/20\/shooting-hares-england-ban-trail-hunting-animal-welfare-law&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And there will be higher welfare standards for farmed animals, including the banning of colony cages for chickens, and pig farrowing crates.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"56f858c6-bdfe-44e6-9671-203a2fcc6069\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:4,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Hen cages and pig farrowing crates to be outlawed in England&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;56f858c6-bdfe-44e6-9671-203a2fcc6069&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/22\/government-outlaw-hen-cages-pig-farrowing-crates-england&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/conservatives\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Conservatives<\/a> are claiming this will lead to British farmers being undercut by rivals from countries where standards are lower. In her response to the plans, <strong>Victoria Atkins<\/strong>, the shadow environment secretary, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>While it is good to see the government taking forward Conservative policies to tackle puppy smuggling and livestock worrying, Labour is yet again favouring foreign farmers over British farmers by allowing substandard foreign imports to undercut our already-high welfare standards.<\/p>\n<p>Labour have snuck this announcement out just before Christmas to avoid scrutiny, because they know that this will be another hammerblow to farming profitability. Once again, they have shown that they simply don\u2019t care about rural Britain.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Tom Bradshaw<\/strong>, president of the National Farmers\u2019 Union, was on the Today programme this morning and he echoed these concerns \u2013 although his language was less alarmist than Atkins\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bradshaw told the programme:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>We\u2019ve seen from history that, if we don\u2019t implement the changes that we want to have in our production systems here within our import standards, all we do is export our industry overseas.<\/p>\n<p>We saw that with our pig industry back in 1999 where we used to produce 80% of our pork, but now we only produce about 45% \u2026<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve got to make sure that we don\u2019t drive food price inflation by adding a cost burden to the production system. The battery cages that have been banned are still in use in countries around the world, particularly in some of our Eastern European counterparts where we are importing eggs from those systems.<\/p>\n<p>So what we in the National Farmers\u2019 Union want is a system of fairness so that, if we have higher animal health and welfare standards here, then our imports have to meet those same standards of production.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Emma Reynolds<\/strong>, the environment secretary, has defended the plans, calling them \u201cthe most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There is not much in the diary for today, but we are getting a No 10 lobby briefing at 11.30am.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/22\/animal-welfare-farming-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 before publication \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Ministers defend \u2018most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation\u2019 before publication \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/22\/animal-welfare-farming-labour-conservatives-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e#block-6948fc298f086a70a358cc3e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-22T09:38:52.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 22 December 2025 at 09:38 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.38 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Ministers #defend #ambitious #animal #welfare #strategy #generation #publication #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key events Show key events onl&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}