As you will be aware, the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and it is, of course, right that we continue to raise the bar. I would like to assure you that the Government is dedicated to delivering a series of ambitious reforms, as outlined in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. Since 2010, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has had a strong track record in delivery reforms and passing legislation. This includes banning the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens, making CCTV mandatory in slaughterhouses across England, banning the use of wild animals in circuses and introducing the strongest ivory ban in the world. Other measures introduced include the mandatory microchipping of dogs in 2015 and the modernisation of the licensing system for dog breeding and pet sales. In 2021, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act came into force, raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from 6 months to 5 years.
In regard to your email, fur farming has been banned in the UK for twenty years and under existing domestic legislation, it is a criminal offence to keep animals with the primary intention of their slaughter for the value of their fur. Strong restrictions have already been put in place, ensuring that some skin and fur products will never be legally imported into the UK. Though the import and sale of certain types of such products is still permissible, the Government is committed to exploring potential action in this area in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. The Government’s recent call for evidence, to seek views and evidence on the current fur sector, will be used to inform any future decisions on the fur trade.
