Pets, farm animals and wildlife across Rochdale are set to benefit from sweeping new animal welfare reforms backed by the town’s MP, Paul Waugh.
The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, launched by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds with support from Dame Joanna Lumley and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, outlines a wide-ranging package of reforms to improve protections for animals in homes, on farms and in the wild.
Paul Waugh, Member of Parliament for Rochdale, said the reforms reflect the realities of life across the borough, which stretches from urban neighbourhoods to farmland and moorland along the Pennine hills.
“I’m proud to welcome this new Animal Welfare Strategy, which will improve the lives of animals at home, on farms and in the wild,” he said.
“From ending puppy farming and snare traps to improving farm animal welfare and banning trail hunting, these reforms close long-standing loopholes and raise standards in line with what people expect.”
Among the measures set out in the plan are proposals to end puppy farming, tighten breeding regulations and stop the illegal pet trade. The government also confirmed new steps to consult on banning electric shock collars and will support tenants who want to keep pets in rented homes.
The strategy commits to phasing out the use of colony cages for laying hens and working with farmers to end farrowing crates for pigs. There will also be consultations on more humane slaughter methods for farmed fish and tackling the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.
On wildlife, the government intends to ban trail hunting, end the use of snare traps, and introduce a close season for hares to protect them during the breeding period.
Rochdale’s rural communities and local pet owners are expected to be directly affected by the reforms, which apply to both urban and countryside areas.
Mr Waugh said the move to end animal testing where safe alternatives exist is equally important. “By backing new technologies and alternative methods, we can reduce animal suffering while supporting life-saving research and keeping the UK at the forefront of ethical science,” he said.
The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out legislation, consultation plans and industry partnerships to be developed through to 2030.
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