1-20 of 29,852 results for subject:"Animal welfare"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.419 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.035 seconds
- Search query
- subject:"Animal welfare"
- We searched for
- subject_t:"Animal welfare" OR subject_t:"Animal cruelty" OR subject_ses:90214
Type
House
Session
More
Year
More
Department
More
Member
More
Primary member
More
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
More
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of Question 25301, what the maximum temperatures recorded were in each week of June and July 2026 in the temperature monitoring data held by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit for animal accommodation at MBR Acres.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of Question 25301, what the maximum temperatures recorded were in each week of June and July 2026 in the temperature monitoring data held by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit for animal accommodation at MBR Acres.
During the period of hot weather, ASRU assessed temperature data provided by MBR Acres in June and July 2026, and found no evidence of adverse animal welfare impacts.
Establishments are required to undertake daily checks by competent persons to monitor animal welfare and environmental conditions, take prompt action where necessary, and report any actual or potential breach of licence conditions to the Home Office.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of checks on the welfare and age of dogs imported into Great Britain for sale.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of checks on the welfare and age of dogs imported into Great Britain for sale.
The UK has one of the toughest pet border checking regimes in the world and this Government is committed to preserving the high standards of biosecurity and animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 gives the Government powers to prohibit the import into Great Britain of puppies and kittens under six months old and introduce measures to strengthen current enforcement mechanisms. Defra will continue to work with UK enforcement bodies as we develop these measures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider introducing mandatory restrictions if voluntary measures to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds do not deliver adequate improvements in animal welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider introducing mandatory restrictions if voluntary measures to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds do not deliver adequate improvements in animal welfare.
The Government will continue supporting voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds and is not currently considering a ban on these breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet Colleagues regarding introducing animal welfare conditions within the UK - Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet Colleagues regarding introducing animal welfare conditions within the UK - Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. There are currently no plans to formally review the terms of the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement (FTA). However, this Government advocates for the end of cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity with Faroese counterparts. This includes via the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, which last met in June 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what targets and timescales her Department plans to use to assess progress towards a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what targets and timescales her Department plans to use to assess progress towards a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
As stated in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government supports voluntary efforts to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds. Whilst no specific timescale has been set, the Government aims to progress the commitments in the Strategy by 2030.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in what way the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on breeding will inform the assessment of targets and timescales on a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in what way the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on breeding will inform the assessment of targets and timescales on a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
The Government will draw upon the wide-ranging advice within the Animal Welfare Committee’s recent report on livestock breeding in all upcoming work. The report did not however provide an in-depth assessment of the welfare status of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with dog welfare charities on issues for dog owners seeking a withdrawal of a certificate of exemption.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with dog welfare charities on issues for dog owners seeking a withdrawal of a certificate of exemption.
Defra have continued to engage with animal welfare charities, including on the withdrawal of certificates of exemption.
Defra are still working to develop this process, so that owners who no longer believe that their dog meets the legal definition of an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Further details will be shared once the process has been finalised.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will take steps to increase funding for non-animal New Approach Methodologies to improve innovation and support the transition away from animal testing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will take steps to increase funding for non-animal New Approach Methodologies to improve innovation and support the transition away from animal testing.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 July 2026 in response to Question 16739.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with MBR Acres about rehoming beagles who do not meet laboratory requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with MBR Acres about rehoming beagles who do not meet laboratory requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade on the potential impact of the proposed reduction in the maximum permitted noise level for consumer fireworks on animal welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade on the potential impact of the proposed reduction in the maximum permitted noise level for consumer fireworks on animal welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to the potential merits of making the adoption of validated alternatives to animal methods a binding requirement rather than a discretionary aid under Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to the potential merits of making the adoption of validated alternatives to animal methods a binding requirement rather than a discretionary aid under Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.
Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.
The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory mechanism to ensure that validated non-animal models replace animal procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory mechanism to ensure that validated non-animal models replace animal procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.
Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.
The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using the UK - Faroe Islands free trade agreement to encourage his Faroese counterparts to ban dolphin hunting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using the UK - Faroe Islands free trade agreement to encourage his Faroese counterparts to ban dolphin hunting.
The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with representatives of the UK Sikh community and the Jhatka Council regarding the commercial availability and certification of Jhatka-slaughtered meat within the legal framework of standard humane stunning regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with representatives of the UK Sikh community and the Jhatka Council regarding the commercial availability and certification of Jhatka-slaughtered meat within the legal framework of standard humane stunning regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has plans to introduce a standing agenda item on dolphin hunting at future meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK - Faeroe Island Free Trade Agreement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has plans to introduce a standing agenda item on dolphin hunting at future meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK - Faeroe Island Free Trade Agreement.
The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern, and for which the agenda is mutually agreed in advance. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential for Food Standards Agency-approved slaughterhouses to accommodate Jhatka slaughter methods that comply with general animal welfare laws; and what steps she is taking to support dietary diversity for the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential for Food Standards Agency-approved slaughterhouses to accommodate Jhatka slaughter methods that comply with general animal welfare laws; and what steps she is taking to support dietary diversity for the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the text of Schedule 3 of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 to consider extending the definition of permitted religious rites to permit Jhatka slaughter methods.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the text of Schedule 3 of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 to consider extending the definition of permitted religious rites to permit Jhatka slaughter methods.
A few weeks ago, I visited Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Wareham, where I was told that the rescue takes in animals when pet owners are prosecuted for animal welfare offences, but that those animals cannot be rehomed during the delay before prosecution. We should be dealing with the court backlog for many reasons, but for the sake of animal welfare, will the Minister look at how we can ensure those animals are rehomed and not delayed in these facilities?
A few weeks ago, I visited Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Wareham, where I was told that the rescue takes in animals when pet owners are prosecuted for animal welfare offences, but that those animals cannot be rehomed during the delay before prosecution. We should be dealing with the court backlog for many reasons, but for the sake of animal welfare, will the Minister look at how we can ensure those animals are rehomed and not delayed in these facilities?
The hon. Member is right: a backlog is a backlog, irrespective of the offence. The victims in all these cases might be of a different nature— they might be animals, or they might be humans—but local authorities have a responsibility in this, and if she wishes to write to me, I look forward to giving her a full answer about what the Ministry of Justice is doing on this.
The hon. Member is right: a backlog is a backlog, irrespective of the offence. The victims in all these cases might be of a different nature— they might be animals, or they might be humans—but local authorities have a responsibility in this, and if she wishes to write to me, I look forward to giving her a full answer about what the Ministry of Justice is doing on this.
The hon. Member is right: a backlog is a backlog, irrespective of the offence. The victims in all these cases might be of a different nature— they might be animals, or they might be humans—but local authorities have a responsibility in this, and if she wishes to write to me, I look forward to giving her a full answer about what the Ministry of Justice is doing on this.
A few weeks ago, I visited Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Wareham, where I was told that the rescue takes in animals when pet owners are prosecuted for animal welfare offences, but that those animals cannot be rehomed during the delay before prosecution. We should be dealing with the court backlog for many reasons, but for the sake of animal welfare, will the Minister look at how we can ensure those animals are rehomed and not delayed in these facilities?
There has long been a proven link between people deliberately harming animals and then committing domestic abuse. The Links Group has researched and highlighted that link for 25 years and is having a special conference later this year to mark this. Will the Minister agree to meet me and the Links Group so that we can draw on its 25 years of expertise to help prevent avoidable harm to women, children and even animals?
There has long been a proven link between people deliberately harming animals and then committing domestic abuse. The Links Group has researched and highlighted that link for 25 years and is having a special conference later this year to mark this. Will the Minister agree to meet me and the Links Group so that we can draw on its 25 years of expertise to help prevent avoidable harm to women, children and even animals?
Absolutely, I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman.