Animal welfare proposals that critics warn could leave British farmers at a disadvantage to overseas competitors
The Labour Party faced renewed criticism from the farming community on Monday after announcing new animal welfare proposals that critics warn could leave British farmers at a disadvantage against overseas competitors. The measures, outlined as part of the Government’s wider animal welfare strategy, would ban colony cages used to house large numbers of laying hens and farrowing crates that confine female pigs after they give birth.
While animal welfare groups have long campaigned against both practices, farmers argue the changes could open the door to cheaper imports produced under lower standards. Colony cages and farrowing crates remain legal in several countries that export meat to the UK, including Poland, Spain, and Ireland.
Although the European Union has committed to phasing out caged farming by 2027, progress has been uneven, raising concerns that British producers could be undercut by imported meat. National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw warned that raising standards at home without matching import rules would put domestic farmers at risk, told The Times.
“If the Government proposes raising domestic animal welfare standards further, it must also take steps to ensure consumers are protected from imported food that could be produced to lower standards, and that British farmers are not asked to compete with imports produced at those lower standards, which would be illegal for them to work to,” he said.
“We have long called for a set of core standards for food imported into the UK; it must meet the same production standards as asked of our farmers.” The proposals also drew fire from opposition politicians. Victoria Atkins, the Conservative environment spokesperson, accused Labour of siding with overseas producers.
“Labour is yet again favouring foreign farmers over British farmers by allowing substandard foreign imports to undercut our already-high welfare standards,” she said. Beyond farming practices, the Government’s strategy also includes plans to ban trail hunting. Officials argue the activity is often used as a “smokescreen” for illegal fox hunting.
The move has angered rural groups who say trail hunting is lawful and economically important. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister rejected claims the policy amounted to a “war on the countryside,” saying: “We have said that we share the British public’s high regard for the countryside in lots of ways, whether it’s through farming or the animal welfare strategy.”
However, Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said the proposed ban would damage rural communities. “Trail hunting is a legal activity which supports hundreds of jobs and is central to many rural communities,” he said.
“The Government should be focusing on addressing issues that actually help rural communities thrive, rather than pursuing divisive policies that hinder them.” As the plans move forward, pressure is mounting on ministers to explain how higher welfare standards will be enforced without leaving British farmers exposed to cheaper foreign imports.
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