UK: New animal welfare strategy aims to phase out farrowing crates and CO₂ stunning

The government has launched the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, which sets out how the government will take forward an ambitious programme of reforms across four key areas: companion animals, wild animals, farmed animals, and internationally.

Objectives for pigs include:

• Working in partnership with farmers and vets through the framework of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, to improve the health and welfare of livestock
• Working with industry to phase out the use of farrowing crates for pigs
• Improving welfare at the time of killing by phasing out the use of CO₂ gas stunning for pigs
• Working with the sectors to improve welfare during transport, reduce the prevalence of painful mutilations, and ensure breeding practices do not cause any unnecessary suffering

The Strategy sets a clear direction of travel, but many of the proposals will be taken forward through consultation and ongoing engagement with farmers and industry. This includes further detail on reforms affecting livestock systems, alongside continued rollout of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to support improvements on farms. Farmers and stakeholders will have opportunities to share their views as consultations are launched and guidance is developed.