The Labour government has launched its most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation, introducing a series of reforms that will see puppy farming and trail hunting outlawed. The plans, announced by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds on Monday 22 December 2025, aim to better protect pets, farm animals, and wildlife, but have ignited a fierce political row with critics warning of a 'war on the countryside'.
What the New Animal Welfare Strategy Includes
The comprehensive strategy, unveiled by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), targets several practices deemed cruel. A central pillar is the ban on puppy farms, large-scale commercial breeding operations where dogs are often kept in what the government describes as "appalling conditions." Ministers argue these facilities deny animals proper care, leading to severe, long-term health issues.
Beyond pet welfare, the strategy takes aim at practices affecting wildlife and rural pursuits. Trail hunting, where an animal scent is laid for hounds to follow, will be prohibited. The government contends this practice is now being used as a "smokescreen" for the illegal hunting of foxes, which was banned outright in 2004. Additionally, the use of snare traps will be outlawed to protect wild animals.
Farm animal welfare is also in focus. The proposals include bans on certain confinement systems like colony cages for hens and farrowing crates for pigs. New requirements will be introduced to ensure farmed fish are spared "avoidable pain," and the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs will be reviewed. Farmers will also be encouraged to move towards rearing slower-growing breeds of meat chickens.
Charity Praise Meets Fierce Political Backlash
The reforms have been met with strong approval from major animal welfare organisations. The RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and World Farming UK all publicly welcomed the strategy. Thomas Schultz-Jagow of the RSPCA called it a "significant step forward" with the potential to improve millions of animal lives, reflecting that the UK is a "nation of animal lovers."
However, the political reaction has been sharply divided. The Conservative Party's shadow environment secretary, Victoria Atkins, accused Labour of showing it "simply doesn't care about rural Britain." She criticised the timing of the announcement on the Monday before Christmas, suggesting it was designed "to avoid scrutiny" of policies she claims will be a "hammer blow to farming profitability."
The criticism from rural campaigners has been even more strident. Nigel Farage labelled the government "authoritarian control freaks" over the trail hunting ban, quipping, "You might as well ban walking dogs in the countryside." The Countryside Alliance accused ministers of wanting a "war with the countryside," arguing that trail hunting supports hundreds of jobs and is central to many rural communities.
A Contentious Path to Implementation
Alongside the immediate bans, the strategy launches consultations on other measures, including a proposed prohibition on shock collars for pets. It also outlines plans for new licensing for rescue organisations and initiatives to promote responsible dog ownership.
While Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds framed the strategy as a landmark moment for animal protection, the fierce opposition from rural voices and political opponents sets the stage for a contentious battle. The government must now navigate the implementation of these reforms amidst claims it is favouring urban sentiment over the traditions and economic realities of the British countryside. The debate underscores a deep and enduring cultural divide in UK politics.
