𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

AfterLife actress Diane Morgan has called for the Government to help end the cruel treatment faced by factory farmed animals.

Campaigners have also blasted Labour for failing to follow through on its manifesto pledge for better animal welfare. The Cunk on Earth star said: “Millions of animals suffer behind closed doors on factory farms every year.

“They’re caged, mutilated, gassed, separated from their babies – it’s heartbreaking. And even though some laws exist to protect them, hardly anyone’s checking if they’re actually being followed.”

Only 0.33% of farm complaints result in a prosecution, a report by Animal Equality and The Animal Law Foundation found in 2022.

Ms Morgan, who backs a mandatory licensing and labelling system for all UK farms, said: “British consumers deserve to know how animals end up on their plates.”

It comes as Labour failed to implement any of its promised animal welfare policies in its first year in office, campaigners said.
Among the pledges that have not been implemented are banning the sale of animals with cropped ears, prohibiting imports of hunting trophies and banning imports of foie gras.

Mark Jones said: “During the election, the Labour party pledged that it would introduce the biggest boost in animal welfare for a generation. However, to date we’ve seen precious little progress towards fulfilling that bold ambition.

“Even its specific manifesto promises of hunting act reform, bans on snares, and ending the import of hunting trophies, currently remain unfulfilled.

“Its action plan for animal welfare is anticipated in the autumn, and we hope to see an ambitious and progressive plan that covers the myriad circumstances that result in animal suffering.

“We also need government to prioritise the implementation of its animal welfare plans, including making parliamentary time available where it is needed, to ensure that bold ambitions on paper do not end up gathering dust.”

The government has also failed to halt the UK promotion of holiday venues where animals are forced to perform tricks and give rides. This is because the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act, which passed in 2023, has not been enforced.

Duncan McNair said: “This Government’s failure to show any serious sign of delivering on its animal welfare promises is stark. Its unwillingness in particular to implement the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act of 2023 is more than disappointing, it is shocking. In banning UK advertising of brutal overseas animal-tourism practices, the Act throws a lifeline to numerous endangered species. It passed into law with overwhelming public and parliamentary support. Its Ministers when in Opposition gave highly vocal support for the Bill  which now – since the Election – is very muted.

“Political will and sustained public pressure are needed if Parliament’s Will is not to be thwarted, and if the tragic destruction of the world’s iconic species is to be averted, and with it the violent deaths and catastrophic injury to thousands of tourists attacked by abused wildlife in captivity.“

Labour pledged to introduce the biggest boost in animal welfare for a generation in its 2024 election manifesto.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “We have wasted no time in delivering the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation.

“This includes improving animal welfare standards in zoos and plans to crack down on puppy smuggling.

“We will build on this progress by publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year.”

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “All farms must comply with our high standards, and we’ve wasted no time making the most ambitious animal welfare plans in a generation a reality.

“We are already improving standards in zoos, cracking down on puppy smuggling and we will build on this through our animal welfare strategy later this year.”