Farming minister Dame Angela Eagle has promised to work with farmers, as the government presses ahead with plans to phase out farrowing crates.
The commitment was made in the government’s welfare strategy, published days before Christmas, and, while no clear timetable has been set, a consultation setting out formal proposals is expected later this year. The government is already consulting on proposals to phase out laying hen cages by 2032.
Speaking during a debate on the Welfare Strategy on Wednesday, Dame Angela said: “Ending the use of intensive confinement systems such as cages and crates is a key priority.
“We have launched a consultation on phasing out colony cages for laying hens and plan to consult on transitioning away from farrowing crates for pigs, but we will do that in conjunction with the industry, because we understand the nature of the costs and the transition time required to move to higher welfare standards.
“We have already launched a consultation on improving the welfare of lambs during castration and tail docking, and I will continue to work with the industry to support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds.”
She also referenced the government’s plans, following advice from the Animal Welfare Committee’s report last year, to consult on proposals banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning for pigs. “We are committed to working together with the farming community to maintain and enhance our world-class animal health and welfare standards,” she said.
MPs generally welcomed the strategy but issued words of caution about how the government implements it. Opening the debate, Labour MP Samantha Niblett said: “We must listen carefully to farmers when considering how to move away from the use of farrowing crates for sows. While the crates are designed to protect piglets against being crushed, they also significantly restrict the sows’ movement and raise serious welfare concerns.”
A number of MPs stressed that the government must avoid the situation where practices are made illegal in the UK, but can be used to produce animals imported into the country.
Former Conservative minister Gavin Williamson said he welcomed any improvement in animal welfare standards in our farming industry.
“However, we do not wish to see low-welfare meat coming into this country with the consequence that our industry is replaced, British jobs and British producers are taken away, and more animals are killed at welfare standards that are substantially below the welfare standards we have in this country today. I certainly do not think that that is the Government’s intention, but there is a danger that it is what we will deliver. I urge the Minister to ensure that any products imported into this country match the welfare standards we expect of our farmers in the United Kingdom,” he said.
Conservative MP and former NPA policy adviser Charlie Dewhirst urged caution on the proposals top ban CO2.
He said: “The industry has looked at various ways to reform that, but it would be very challenging and potentially very costly. Like a number of other measures in the strategy, we must ensure that transition is done with the industry and does not impact British food production or our food security.”