Crawley MP welcomes Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, published the Animal Welfare Strategy last month, setting out measures to protect livestock, pets and wild animals across England.

Launching the strategy, Emma Reynolds said:

“We’re a nation of animal lovers. This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.”

This announcement includes the introduction of dog breeding reforms, such as the creation of a single registration system for all breeders and the banning of puppy smuggling. New laws will limit non-commercial pet movements to five pets per vehicle, and the import of dogs and cats under sixth months old will be banned.

The Government’s Renters Rights Bill will make it easier for tenants to keep pets in rented homes by stopping landlords from unnecessarily stopping responsible pet owners stay with their pets.

Wild animals will also be protected under new reforms. Trail hunting will be banned, stopping the practice being used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting. The Government has also committed to ending the use of snare traps, due to concerns regarding the unnecessary suffering they cause, and repeated incidents of pets being harmed.

Peter Lamb, the Labour MP for Crawley, praised the publication of the strategy as an important step towards improved animal welfare:

“I know how important animals are to so many people in Crawley and I am proud that, in Government, Labour is taking this landmark step to protect pets, livestock, and wildlife by ending cruel practices and ensuring the high standards of care that local people expect.”