Action for Animals

DEFRA's Action Plan for Animal Welfare

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have published their Animal Welfare document #ActionForAnimals, their document outlines their key reforms.

Pets are central to so many families, ensuring their welfare is protected and that sporting animals are cared for responsibly.  Topics mentioned are

• End the abhorrent, cruel practice of puppy smuggling and low-welfare pet imports
• Pet theft
• Compulsory cat microchipping as as campaigned for via the ‘Tuk’s Law’ movement
• Prioritise the health and welfare of dogs by prohibiting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs into Great Britain that have been subject to low welfare practices, such as ear cropping or tail docking 
• ‘Petfished' campaigns which educate the public on how to source dogs and cats
  responsibly
• Pursue the licensing of animal sanctuaries, rescue and rehoming centres including for cats, dogs and horses
• Equine identification
• Ban remote controlled electronic training collars (‘e-collars’)
• Further protections for racing greyhounds
• Ensure the horse racing sector addresses key animal welfare issues
• Ensure that dangerous dogs legislation continues to provide effective public safety controls
• Continue to commit to maintaining high standards of protection where procedures are undertaken on live animals for scientific or educational purposes

A copy of their published document can be found via their website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-plan-for-animal-welfare