Farmers are being urged to prepare for far-reaching changes to their livestock systems as the government launches the biggest overhaul of livestock welfare rules in a generation.
Defra will publish a new animal welfare strategy on Monday 22 December, outlining plans to phase out confinement systems, change slaughter practices and strengthen protection for livestock in England and Wales.
Ministers say reforms are essential to keep pace with welfare science and public expectations, but farmers face important transition decisions around infrastructure, costs and long-term planning.
Central to this strategy is a proposal to move away from colony cages for laying hens and farrowing boxes of pigs, alongside efforts to address welfare concerns related to carbon stunning in pigs.
The strategy also includes plans to introduce humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish and promote the use of slower-growing meat chicken breeds.
The government says the changes will serve as a reminder of the phased approach developed in consultation with farmers and industry groups, but many of the proposals signal fundamental changes to the way livestock are raised and managed.
Farm groups have previously warned that without a clear timeline and financial support, welfare reform risks putting further pressure on already tight profit margins.
Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “We are a nation of animal lovers and this Government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.”
He said the strategy would “raise welfare standards for animals in homes, farms and in the wild”, adding that ministers planned to ban caged chickens and tackle practices that harm welfare.
The strategy will strengthen new livestock concerns legislation aimed at protecting livestock from dog attacks, alongside housing and slaughter reforms.
Farmers in England and Wales are expected to benefit from tougher penalties and increased police powers, with ministers recognizing the psychological and economic impact such incidents have on farmers.
However, concerns have been raised by some in the livestock and processing sectors that major welfare risks remain unaddressed.
Tony Goodger, Head of Communications at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), said: [we will] Carefully consider the impact on members and respond to proposed consultations as appropriate. ”
He added that AIMS is “very concerned that this strategy fails to address one of the major threats to animal welfare facing farmers, transporters and slaughterhouses: ideologically driven extremist activity.”
Mr Goodger said such practices “often place unnecessary stress on the target area of the animal, resulting in high levels of stress, injury and, in some cases, death by suffocation.”
He urged ministers to take stronger action, saying they “recognize the failures in enforcement” and calling on the government to “adopt a more robust approach against individuals and groups who seek to disrupt the lawful operation of the livestock and processing sector”, noting that these sectors are designated as areas of critical national infrastructure.
Animal rights groups widely welcomed the strategy, while stressing the importance of farrowing. Compassion in World Farming said efforts to phase out cages and farrowing boxes would benefit millions of animals each year, but retailers including Waitrose said higher welfare standards reflected consumer expectations but needed to be implemented in a way that was viable for producers.
The government said it would work with farmers, processors and charities to deliver the strategy by the end of 2030, with further consultation and legislation expected.
For agriculture and processing industries, the reforms provide clear direction, but raise urgent questions about support, enforcement and how welfare will be protected across the supply chain.
