NEW ANIMAL WELFARE STRATEGY

Just before Christmas, the government launched a new Animal Welfare Strategy setting out a programme of reforms for farm animals, pets and wildlife.  The strategy includes proposals that will impact on farmers including potentially phasing out the use of colony cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.  The proposals also include a ban on trail hunting.  This strategy is only for England which raises the question about what will happen in Scotland and Wales in relation to laying hens and pigs, let alone imports from non UK countries!  Read more here.