Jan 26th, 2026
3 mins
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) recently presented to Parliament a policy paper setting out the Animal Welfare Strategy for England.
This strategy sets out the UK Government’s priorities for England, focusing on the changes and improvements they aim to achieve by 2030. Using a new integrated approach, the government say they will deliver sustainable and embedded improvements to animal welfare in England.
Additionally, they state that working across departments, the government will work in partnership with key stakeholders, charities, experts, enforcement bodies, and industry from across the different sectors to ensure as many animals as possible have the highest welfare standards at every stage of their life.
The key messages in the strategy include:
- Establishing a regulatory framework and providing a clear direction of travel.
- Working in partnership with industry and others.
- Underpinning with an effective enforcement strategy.
- Reforms across four key areas: companion animals, wild animals, farmed animals and internationally.
- Consulting on phasing out the use of cages in farming.
- Moving away from the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) to stun pigs.
- Introducing standards for the humane killing of fish.
While the actions focus on England, some policies are relevant to other parts of the UK. Defra have stated that they will continue to work closely with Devolved Governments on animal welfare matters to take coordinated action where appropriate.
Read the policy paper in full here
