Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy ‘positive step towards improving the lives of millions of animals’

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 vets across the UK, has responded to the publication of the UK Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy (Monday 22 December), which promises to deliver the ‘biggest animal welfare reforms in a generation’. 

The Strategy outlines new plans to protect pets, farmed animals and wildlife across the country and includes several measures that BVA has been actively campaigning for on behalf of our members. These include an end to puppy farming; promotion of responsible dog ownership to protect public safety; a potential ban of the use of electric shock collars; banning snare traps which cause suffering to animals; and phasing out confinement systems for farmed animals such as pig farrowing crates. 

British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “BVA has long campaigned on many of the measures included in the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, such as ending puppy farming, banning snares and phasing out farrowing crates; the Government’s commitment to these is therefore a positive step towards improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK. We look forward to seeing the detail in the coming months.” 

Animal Welfare is amongst the top priorities for BVA members, and the organisation has secured many significant improvements to animal welfare as a result of sustained policymaking and campaigning. In April, nine years since the publication of its landmark Animal Welfare Strategy, BVA published a new report outlining its achievements since 2016, alongside a new set of priorities - ‘BVA Animal Welfare Strategy - Evaluation and Next Steps’.  

For more information on BVA’s animal welfare campaigns visit - https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/