The Problem: Every year, millions of farmed animals are confined to cages for all or part of their life. The UK still uses farrowing crates for pigs, and “enriched” cages for layer hens. These cages severely restrict natural movements and behaviours. Such confinement is cruel and unnecessary.

Some use of cages have already been phased out in many places due to the inhumane conditions and the EU Commission has signalled its intentions to ban cages.

Public support within the UK is also high for a ban. A parliamentary petition calling for an end to caged farming secured over 100,000 signatures and polling carried out by YouGov found that 77% support a complete ban on the use of cages in farming.

The Solution: With overwhelming public opposition and more humane alternatives already in use, it is time for the UK to enact legislation prohibiting the caged confinement of farmed animals.

We ask candidates to commit to supporting a fixed phase out period for the use of cages such as farrowing crates and enriched cages, with transitional support for farmers during the phase out.

The Problem: The UK has taken some steps to improve the conditions for certain farmed animals through prohibitions on practices like fur farming, foie gras, barren battery cages and sow stalls for pigs. However, a substantial proportion of animal products sold domestically are imported from countries with lower welfare protections. This leaves significant welfare gaps and causes harm to millions of animals abroad.

Importation of products from low-welfare systems is likely to rise further as additional trade deals are finalised, undermining both public support for higher UK standards and the production standards that British farmers are held to.

The public strongly supports closing these welfare loopholes: a 2023 survey showed that 77% of respondents agree with the statement ‘when we ban a type of farming in the UK for being too cruel, we should also ban imports of products produced the same way overseas’.

The Solution: Applying UK animal welfare standards to imported animal products would meet people’s expectations, stop unwitting consumption of cruelty and ensure that the legislative intent of better welfare are met.

The UK has the ability to apply restrictions on the import or sale of animal products that do not meet the same animal welfare standards required for domestic production, as it can be justified under the "public morals" exemption provided by the rules of the World Trade Organiwation (WTO).

We ask candidates to commit to supporting animals, the public and farmers by supporting a ban on the import of low welfare products with standards lower than the UK.

The Problem: There is strong evidence that fish can have subjective experiences, feel emotions, and are self aware. Despite this, farmed fish have less legal protections than other farmed animals and endure significant suffering and mistreatment due to the absence of tailored welfare regulations.

They face overcrowded living conditions, lice infestations, and disease outbreaks, as well as horrific slaughter practices. With proper standards in place, farmed fish are vulnerable to exploitation and neglect. Undercover investigations have documented farmed fish being starved, suffocated, and bludgeoned to death.

Polling demonstrates support for fish welfare, with 71% agreeing fish should have the same legal protections during slaughter as other animals such as chickens and cows.

The Solution: To address these issues, we urge policymakers to implement legal minimum welfare and slaughter requirements for farmed fish in the UK.

These standards should ensure that both their physical and mental needs are met. This includes appropriate living conditions, good water quality, and opportunities to exhibit natural behaviours. By enacting these regulations, the UK can demonstrate its high commitment to animal welfare. 

Additionally, public education efforts can raise awareness about the importance of humane treatment for all animals, including  fish, fostering a culture of compassion and responsibility towards all animals killed for food.

The Problem: More than three quarters of farmed pigs in the UK are killed by CO2 gassing, causing extreme pain and suffering. There have been numerous reports spanning the last three decades that reveal CO2 is an inhumane method for stunning and slaughter. Despite this, the pig industry has done little to implement more humane methods.

The Solution: Carbon dioxide is an unsuitable method for the slaughter of pigs. A phase out must be sought, with alternative solutions found and implemented as soon as possible to replace its use. 

We call on candidates to support research into more humane slaughter methods and to prioritise ending the use of CO2 for the slaughter of pigs.