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Animal Welfare in Farming
03 June 2025
Lead MP
Adrian Ramsay
Waveney Valley
Green
Responding Minister
Daniel Zeichner
Tags
EconomyBrexit
Word Count: 14276
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Adrian Ramsay raised concerns about animal welfare in farming in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government must set a clear timetable for banning farrowing crates and address the plight of broiler chickens. The rapid growth of these birds causes immense suffering, and alternatives like slower-growing breeds need Government leadership.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The treatment of farm animals in the UK reflects societal values but millions endure lives of confinement, pain and neglect. Recent footage has exposed mistreatment of piglets and salmon farms causing public outrage. The petition 'End the use of cages and crates for all farmed animals' has surpassed 100,000 signatures calling for an immediate ban on laying hen cages and extending it to all cages and crates including farrowing crates for sows.
Alex Mayer
Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Alex Mayer highlighted the poor living conditions for hens in 'enriched cages', which he suggested should be called 'confinement cages'. He also expressed concern about the welfare of lobsters, questioning if it is acceptable to boil them alive as a common practice.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Suggested that the Government needs to undertake a strategic review of UK border controls to ensure food security is protected from exotic diseases.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
East Antrim
Discussed the financial and animal welfare impacts of bovine TB in Northern Ireland, highlighting the need for a science-led approach similar to England's wildlife intervention project. Asked the Minister to commit to updating Members quickly on the issue of access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
North East Cambridgeshire
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs acknowledges the importance of animal welfare standards, praising the current system but also noting areas for improvement. He highlights the need to balance high welfare standards with trade implications. Discussed funding for animal health and welfare grants, mentioned enforcement tools for ensuring compliance with animal welfare laws, and highlighted labelling and farm assurance schemes.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Champions the highest standards in animal welfare, reflecting society's compassion and integrity. Supports the debate on phasing out low-welfare imports and implementing a mandatory labelling scheme.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
The hon. Member for Epping Forest, a veterinary surgeon and fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, highlighted the previous Conservative Government's record on improving animal welfare standards in farming.
Irene Campbell
Lab
North Ayrshire and Arran
Supports mandatory animal welfare labelling and highlights the issue of farrowing crates used for sows, which confine them for almost a quarter of their adult lives. She also mentions that 84% of Scots want to ban farrowing crates.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Emphasised the commitment of farmers to animal welfare, citing his own experience with a robotic dairy farm. Criticised the Windsor framework and US trade agreement for potentially undermining high UK agricultural standards. Emphasized the importance of engaging with the Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister and requested clarity on how sensitive sectors will be protected under future trade deals.
John Whitby
Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Welcomes calls for the Treasury to fund a cross-Government plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance and exotic diseases, highlighting the risk from intensive farming practices.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Addressed the balance between raising animal welfare standards and financial realities for farmers, stressing the need for clearer animal welfare labelling to support producers and consumers alike.
Sam Carling
Lab
North West Cambridgeshire
Discussed the inconsistency of allowing imports from farms that still use banned methods such as sow stalls and battery cages, calling for legislation to ensure imported products meet UK welfare standards.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Sarah Dyke spoke about the importance of maintaining high animal welfare standards in farming. She mentioned that 95% of potential UK trading partners have lower animal welfare standards, which could undermine British farmers if not addressed properly.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Agrees with the hon. Gentleman's view on the need to control food imports post-Brexit to avoid disadvantaging UK farmers and allowing products from countries with lower animal welfare standards. Agreed with Josh Newbury on the importance of proper labelling for animals subjected to non-stunned slaughter.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Calls for stronger animal welfare policies, citing examples of regulatory breaches and the rise in intensive farming practices. Supports calls from the National Farmers Union for funding to tackle diseases such as foot and mouth disease.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
Asked whether Government’s programme of planning reform could create loopholes allowing destructive large-scale farming operations.
Government Response
Daniel Zeichner
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs
Government Response
The Minister emphasises the importance of maintaining high animal welfare standards, praising the work done by Labour in introducing the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He discusses current legislation and statutory codes to ensure animal welfare, addressing specific issues like enriched colony cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs. The Minister also highlights ongoing consultations on phasing out these systems while considering trade implications. Discussed trade deals' impact on food production standards, funding for animal health and welfare grants (£16.7 million), enforcement tools to ensure compliance with animal welfare laws, labelling issues, farm assurance schemes, and future plans to improve animal welfare backed by robust science and evidence.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.