I would like to assure you that my ministerial colleagues and I take the welfare of all animals seriously. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Government has delivered an ambitious legislative programme, bringing significant improvements for animals both in the UK and abroad. Ministers are firmly committed to maintaining the UK’s strong track record on animal welfare and to delivering continued improvements, both in the course of this Parliament and beyond.
I understand that my ministerial colleagues do not believe that
the time is right to consult on cage reforms, recognising some of the
challenges that numerous sectors have faced in recent years. I am informed that
the market is already driving the move away from using cages for laying hen
production, and that the proportion of eggs from caged hens has steadily
decreased from 47 per cent of total throughput in Q4 of 2017 to 21 per cent in
Q1 of 2023. Regarding pigs, the UK is ahead of most other pig producing
countries in terms of zero confinement farrowing, in that 40 per net of the
national sow breeding herd farrow freely on outdoor pig units with no option of
confinement.
I am assured that the Government will continue to work with the
sector maintain and enhance high standards of welfare. For example, the Animal
Health and Welfare Pathway will prioritise areas for additional improvement in
the health and welfare for pigs, cattle, sheep and poultry. I know that one of
the Government’s priorities for the pathway includes supporting producers to
transition away from confinement systems.
Of course, if you have
specific concerns about the welfare of an animal, I recommend reporting it to
the police or the RSPCA.
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