Written questions about animals and the answers departments gave to them, from the last 12 months. Both are reproduced as published. A written answer is a department’s position on the record, which is what makes this worth keeping.
confirmed 14 minutes ago against the Questions and Statements API, and rechecked every 12 hours.
Showing the 100 most recently answered of 796 held.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train delays have there been each year since 2020 caused by trains hitting animals on the track.
The Department does not hold a centrally published series showing the number of train delays that were caused specifically by trains striking non-human animals on the railway. Operational incident and delay attribution data are recorded and managed by Network Rail and train operators.
Department for Transport
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent initiatives launched by the US Food and Drug Administration to accelerate the replacement of animal testing with human-relevant methods; and whether they intend to adopt similar meas
The Government has reviewed recent US Food and Drug Administration initiatives to reduce animal testing in preclinical safety studies and is engaging with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on accelerating the science-led adoption of alternative methods for drug development and testing. Through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, the Government is investing in development, validation and regulatory uptake, including UK validation infrastructure and measures to build regulatory confidence. We will continue to monitor international developments, including in the US, and adopt approaches where supported by evidence and compatible with maintaining human, animal and environmental safety.
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of information on animal offenders recorded on the Police National Computer to relevant third parties; and what proportion of requests
Access to data in the Police National Computer is restricted to cleared authorised users in the Police Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies and authorisation of its use and data contained is managed via the Police; therefore, the Home Office does not hold this information, as data added loaded is the responsibilities of the Data Controllers. The Government is committed to strong enforcement of animal welfare legislation and ensuring that those convicted of serious animal welfare offences can be subject to disqualification orders preventing them from owning or keeping animals. Animal welfare and rehoming organisations play an important role in protecting animal welfare and promoting responsible ownership. The Home Office is also working with key partners, including the RSPCA, to strengthen the recording and use of relevant animal abuse information on police systems where appropriate.
Home Office
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 15 July (HL1807), how many licence applications have been withdrawn in response to feedback from the Home Office Regulator during the assessment process, and whether
In 2024, eight project licence applications and, in 2025, six project licence applications were withdrawn by the applicant. The Regulator does not hold information on the reasons why those applications were withdrawn so cannot comment on whether they were withdrawn in response to regulatory feedback. Amendments to project licence applications are a routine part of the assessment process, are based on discussions between the Regulator and the applicant and could be about any aspect of the licence. There is no limit to the number of revisions and resubmissions that can be made. All applications are subject to multiple stages of review prior to submission to the Home Office, including the scrutiny by an establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body and sign off by the establishment licence holder. A licence may only be granted where the application satisfies all relevant requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether police forces are required to refer incidents of animal cruelty involving people under the age of 18 to a) safeguarding agencies and b) Youth Offending Teams.
Police forces are operationally independent from Government. Chief Constables and their officers are responsible for determining what action is appropriate in individual cases, including when information should be shared with relevant safeguarding partners, local authorities or other agencies. The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children sets out clear expectation that safeguarding partners must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Practitioners should be alert to children showing signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour and should consider whether a referral to local authority children's social care, or Youth Offending Team, is required.
Home Office
To ask His Majesty's Government whether their plans for achieving net zero emissions include introducing targets to reduce livestock herd sizes.
This Government has no plans to introduce targets to reduce livestock herd sizes as part of its approach to achieving net zero. The department’s focus is on supporting farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining a thriving and productive agricultural sector.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact on Dartmoor ponies of their inclusion in grazing densities under Countryside Stewardship schemes.
On 16 July, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that Dartmoor ponies would be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements on Dartmoor, so that farmers do not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. This implements recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon Review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor. A new dedicated pony supplement will be introduced into farming schemes to remove any financial incentive to reduce pony populations.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Gambling Commission's proposed affordability checks for bets of more than £1,000 on the horse racing industry.
The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. On 7 July the Gambling Commission announced that its Board has decided to implement Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) in a careful, phased way. The Government has been supportive of the policy intent behind these assessments, and welcomes their decision to do this in a careful phased way. The vast majority of consumers will not face any change to their customer experience. A consumer who undergoes an FRA as a result of a net deposit of £1000 or more in a 24 hour period will not automatically be subject to operator action, such as account restrictions. It will instead be for the operator to determine whether or not action is needed, based on both FRA data and the data they already have on the consumer. It is therefore right that the Commission is taking a phased approach to implementation, to ensure that operators are given as clear guidance as possible on options for responding to an FRA. We recognise the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would now encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of large intensive chicken farms on human health, environmental standards, and animal welfare.
The Environment Agency assesses the environmental risk through the assessment of environmental permits to protect habitats from air pollution, and compliance with regulations to protect land and water. Measures are checked through regular compliance inspections. There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare. The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates. Ammonia from poultry farms contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution concentrations across the country. The precise contribution is difficult to assess and will vary according to the prevailing weather conditions and other sources of PM2.5. Long term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a number of serious health conditions. Intensive poultry farms with a capacity of 40,000 poultry places or more require a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to control their emissions into the environment. Where animal welfare is impacted by farming practices, this can lead to increased health risks to humans through either the food chain, direct animal contact or through environmental contamination. For gastrointestinal disease this can occur through increased shedding of human pathogens where animals are at heightened stress, such as Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp. Increased shedding of bacteria can also increase the risk antimicrobial resistance can spread. Any individual exposed to positive detections of HPAI in poultry will be managed according to UKHSA’s public health guidance. Guidance for the management of people exposed to birds or other animals infected with influenza A(H5) - GOV.UK (copy attached).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her timetable is for the introduction of measures to simplify the movement of assistance dogs between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the enforcement action against the use of European pet passports on assistance dog users.
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the feasibility of introducing a digital passport system for assistance dogs; and what consideration has been given to the development of digitalised pa
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with key stakeholders on negotiating an exemption from Animal Health Certificate requirements for assistance dogs travelling between the UK and the Europea
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help facilitate the movement of assistance dogs accompanying their owners travelling from the UK to the EU.
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance she provides to schools on addressing social media trends that encourage cruelty towards animals.
As part of the updated statutory relationships and health education guidance in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education guidance in secondary schools, pupils are taught about online safety and harms. This includes harmful content and the risks associated with social media trends. Teaching also includes content on the characteristics of social media and the importance of making responsible decisions about appropriate social media content. Whilst animal welfare is not a compulsory part of the national curriculum, there are opportunities for it to be taught and schools have the autonomy to teach additional topics flexibly, based on local need and that are age appropriate.
Department for Education
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the 45 per cent increase in scientific procedures using horses from 2015 to 2025, set out in the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025; and what s
The increase in horse procedures between 2015 and 2025 should be viewed in context: while procedures rose by 45%, the number of horses used for the first time fell from 581 to 100. In 2025, around 69% of horse procedures were routine blood sampling for regulatory purposes and were assessed as mild severity. The Government is supporting the development, validation and regulatory uptake of alternative methods, including human-specific technologies, through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, and requires animals to be used only where no validated alternative exists.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to end the use of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds in UK poultry production.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Stockport, PQ UIN 118907.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether animal welfare concerns relating to the Faroe Islands' grindadráp whale and dolphin hunt will be considered during the 2026 review of the UK–Faroe Islands trade agreement.
By convening an annual Joint Committee, the UK-Faroes FTA provides an effective channel for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade (in collaboration with other relevant government departments), to review a range of issues with the Faroe Islands. These include animal welfare, which was indeed raised by the UK at the latest Joint Committee, held on 3 June 2026 in London. The Government does and will continue to advocate for the end of all cetacean hunting in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity.
Department for Business and Trade
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what financial and advisory support will be available to assist pig producers to transition directly to free farrowing systems.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 July 2026 to the hon. Member for North West Norfolk, PQ UIN 17025.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with regulated online platforms on preventing the spread of social media trends that encourage acts of animal cruelty.
The Government recognises concerns about online content and trends that encourage or promote acts of animal cruelty. The Government and Ofcom have identified animal cruelty as one of the priority kinds of illegal harm under the Online Safety Act regulatory regime. Ofcom’s risk profiles and Register of Risks address how such content and trends can spread on regulated services, including through coordinated challenges or user-generated material. Regulated platforms are required to carry out suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessments that cover animal cruelty, and to put in place mitigations to reduce the risk of users encountering or being encouraged to commit such offences. Ofcom is actively monitoring compliance in this area.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of social media trends that encourage acts of animal cruelty.
The Government recognises concerns about online content and trends that encourage or promote acts of animal cruelty. The Government and Ofcom have identified animal cruelty as one of the priority kinds of illegal harm under the Online Safety Act regulatory regime. Ofcom’s risk profiles and Register of Risks address how such content and trends can spread on regulated services, including through coordinated challenges or user-generated material. Regulated platforms are required to carry out suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessments that cover animal cruelty, and to put in place mitigations to reduce the risk of users encountering or being encouraged to commit such offences. Ofcom is actively monitoring compliance in this area.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 committed by people under the age of 18 in each of the last five years.
The Government has not made an estimate of the number of animal welfare offences committed by individuals under the age of 18. Defra does not hold conviction data for animal welfare offences and is therefore unable to provide the information requested.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to enforce the commitment made in the Animal welfare strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, to end the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government would like to see an end to the practice of culling male chicks. The Government is monitoring the rapid progress currently being made with in-ovo sexing and has funded research into the use of dual breed chickens that remove the need to kill male chicks.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the UK egg industry about implementing a trial of in-ovo sexing technology to prevent the culling of male chicks; and when they anticipate such a trial to take place.
A commercial in-ovo sexing system was trialed at a UK hatchery last year to help the egg industry understand the logistics of in-ovo sexing. This Government will engage with the egg industry and technology companies on this issue.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of strengthening guidance for courts and probation services on the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse.
The Government recognises the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse. Statutory guidance issued under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is clear that harming, threatening to harm, or using pets to control, coerce or intimidate a victim can constitute domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour and emotional or psychological abuse. Statutory guidance on Coercive and Controlling Behaviour, an offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015, also clearly recognises such abuse. In its Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, published last December, the Government committed to updating both the Domestic Abuse and the Coercive or Controlling Behaviour Statutory Guidance by the end of 2026, to ensure they remain aligned with the current domestic abuse landscape and best practice, including on the linkages with animal and pet abuse. Both sets of guidance are aimed at frontline professionals working with victims and perpetrators, including the police, Crown Prosecution Service, probation, courts and other criminal justice agencies. In the VAWG Strategy, to ensure that no opportunity is missed to protect victims and survivors, including those with pets, the Government also committed to: Commencing a research project, to explore the connection between pet abuse and domestic abuse, to identify intervention opportunities and equip relevant stakeholders.Working with the veterinary profession to support initiatives designed to help vets and practice staff recognise potential signs of domestic abuse through non-accidental injuries.Strengthening the pet microchipping regime to prevent the records of domestic abuse victims and survivors being accessed inappropriately.Working with charities to increase the awareness of services available for the pets of domestic abuse victims and survivors, to support more victims to escape abuse.
Ministry of Justice
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources have been allocated to the planned phased approach to policy development on decapods, including the number of full-time equivalent staff involved, dedicated budget, external expertise c
The Home Office has written to the Animals in Science Committee setting out its phased approach to developing proportionate and evidence-based arrangements for decapods used in scientific procedures. As part of this approach, the Home Office is developing a roadmap setting out objectives and key milestones to enable the development of the evidence base needed to inform future policy decisions. The Home Office will publish further information on its approach to regulating decapods used in science in due course. The initial phase of this work focuses on the adoption of industry-led welfare standards, supported by voluntary reporting, targeted training and preparatory work. Further steps may include seeking technical advice and engaging relevant experts where appropriate. This activity is being undertaken using existing resources and budget. As of July 2026, the Animals in Science Regulation Policy Unit has 8.6 full-time equivalent staff who support a range of priorities including policy development for decapods. The Unit collaborates with a range of other government teams to progress project activity. Resourcing arrangements will be kept under review as the policy develops.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to publish a roadmap for the phased approach to policy development on decapods used in scientific procedures.
The Home Office has written to the Animals in Science Committee setting out its phased approach to developing proportionate and evidence-based arrangements for decapods used in scientific procedures. As part of this approach, the Home Office is developing a roadmap setting out objectives and key milestones to enable the development of the evidence base needed to inform future policy decisions. The Home Office will publish further information on its approach to regulating decapods used in science in due course. The initial phase of this work focuses on the adoption of industry-led welfare standards, supported by voluntary reporting, targeted training and preparatory work. Further steps may include seeking technical advice and engaging relevant experts where appropriate. This activity is being undertaken using existing resources and budget. As of July 2026, the Animals in Science Regulation Policy Unit has 8.6 full-time equivalent staff who support a range of priorities including policy development for decapods. The Unit collaborates with a range of other government teams to progress project activity. Resourcing arrangements will be kept under review as the policy develops.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, what assessment she has made of the reduction in procedures reported as
The Government welcomes the reduction in experimental procedures reported as severe in the 2025 published annual statistics. The proportion fell from 3.4% in 2024 to 1.3% in 2025, with the number of severe procedures decreasing from 48,380 to 17,593. Procedure numbers may increase or decrease from year to year due to changes in scientific and public health priorities, scientific innovation, research funding, regulatory requirements, and the application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). The majority of this change was a large decrease seen in batch potency testing, falling from 27,323 severe procedures in 2024 to 521 in 2025. Batch potency testing is a form of quality control testing used to confirm that a batch of a medicine, vaccine or other biological product meets required standards before it is released for use. All applications to test on animals must conform with all legal requirements set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). This includes applying the principles of the 3Rs: the replacement of animals wherever there is a suitable alternative available; the reduction of the number of animals used to the minimum possible; and the refinement of any techniques to reduce the harm suffered by the animals to the minimum. Under ASPA, licences are subject to retrospective assessments if they involved procedures expected to cause severe harm to animals. These retrospective assessments must consider whether any lessons can be learned from the programme of work which may contribute to the further implementation of the principles of the 3Rs. The Government’s Replacing animals in science strategy, published in November 2025 and backed by £75 million, contains measures to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. These measures, together with continuing regulatory scrutiny and independent advice from the Animals in Science Committee, will support further replacement and refinement of animal procedures.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has held recent discussions with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums on alternative feed sources for captive birds of
Defra officials routinely meet the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a range of subjects are discussed.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any inspections were undertaken by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit following reports concerning the welfare of dogs during the recent period of extreme temperatures at MBR Acres.
On 10 July 2026, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit carried out an announced visit to MBR Acres to inspect compliance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) following the recent period of high temperatures in Great Britain. No immediate animal welfare concerns were identified by inspectors on the day of the visit. Under ASPA, licensed establishments are responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals in their care at all times, including during extreme temperatures. All such establishments must comply with ASPA, the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes, and relevant licence conditions. This includes requirements for daily checks of animal welfare and environmental conditions, and for breaches or potential breaches of licence conditions to be reported to the Secretary of State.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to negotiate a longer-term pet passport arrangement with the European Union.
I refer the hon. Member to the response given on 26 June 2026 to the hon. Member for Clapham and Brixton Hill for PQ UIN 11733.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of individuals convicted of animal welfare offences were (a) issued with an animal disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in each of the last 10 years and (b) not iss
This data is not held by the Home Office.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on considering the outcomes of the research project commissioned in summer 2025 on the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.
This Government commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. We will consider the outcomes of this research once complete. We expect the final report to be published in 2027.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Civil Contingencies Act to enable livestock owners and farmers to support their livestock during emergencies such as water ou
The Animal Welfare Codes, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, recommend that keepers should have contingency plans for events such as the disruption of feed, power or water supply. The Government expects water companies to provide a secure and resilient supply of water at all times. Disruptions to water supplies can have significant consequences for animal health and farm operations, underlining the importance of water companies maintaining robust resilience and contingency plans.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, what steps she is taking to replace the use of specially
The Government is committed to reducing and replacing the use of specially protected species in scientific research through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The strategy supports the development, validation and regulatory uptake of human-specific technologies, including advanced cell-based models, organ-on-a-chip systems, data-driven approaches and AI-enabled tools. It includes targeted ambitions to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in specific areas of medicines development where scientifically justified and supported by validated alternatives. The use of specially protected species remains subject to stringent controls and is permitted only where no validated alternative exists.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, what steps she is taking to replace the use of non-human
The Government is committed to reducing and replacing the use of specially protected species in scientific research through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The strategy supports the development, validation and regulatory uptake of human-specific technologies, including advanced cell-based models, organ-on-a-chip systems, data-driven approaches and AI-enabled tools. It includes targeted ambitions to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in specific areas of medicines development where scientifically justified and supported by validated alternatives. The use of specially protected species remains subject to stringent controls and is permitted only where no validated alternative exists.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of adopting the legislative framework championed by Animal Free Research UK known as Herbie's Law.
The Government has assessed that the UK’s existing legal framework already requires animals to be used in science only where no validated alternative exists. Through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, we are accelerating the development, validation and regulatory uptake of alternative methods, supported by investment, regulatory reform and strengthened delivery oversight. The strategy sets out a long-term vision to eliminate animal use in science in all but exceptional circumstances. While the Government keeps the legislative framework under review, our current priority is delivering this science-led programme rather than introducing further legislation.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 June (HC6053), whether the prevailing policy allows for pets resident at 10 Downing Street to be transported at public expens
Pets are not transported to Chequers independently of the Prime Minister’s family. There is therefore no additional cost to the taxpayer.
Cabinet Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations protecting horse riders in Fylde constituency.
Government is committed to making our roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to horse riders. The new Road Safety Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. This target will focus the efforts of road safety partners across Britain, with measures to improve road design, protect vulnerable road users, and review motoring offences. The Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them. Rule 49 of the Highway Code highlights the legal requirement for children under the age of 14 to wear a helmet that complies with the Regulations and advises all other riders to follow these requirements.
Department for Transport
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of individuals convicted of animal welfare offences went on to commit a further animal welfare offence in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of those repeat offenders had previously be
The information requested on convictions could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information regarding animal disqualification orders is not contained in the Ministry of Justice extract of the Police National Computer.
Ministry of Justice
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they are giving, if any, to Right to Manage property companies and their directors on the legality or otherwise of imposing charges for approving pets. [I]
Where a Right to Manage (RTM) company takes over management of a building it is responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of the lease. In some cases, leases require approval for pets which the RTM is responsible for granting. RTM companies are entitled to recover permission fees to cover their reasonable costs. Guidance for RTM companies in exercising their functions including granting approvals is provided by the Leasehold Advisory Service. Permission fees and administration charges - whether issued by a landlord or an RTM company - should only be used where necessary and should cover only any reasonable costs incurred. Any fees and charges should be justifiable, transparent, and communicated effectively and there should be a clear route to redress if things go wrong. By law, variable administration or permission charges must be reasonable, and leaseholders can challenge them by applying to the tribunal for a decision if they do not believe they are fair.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the 9 per cent increase in scientific procedures using dogs in 2025, set out in the annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025.
Although scientific procedures involving dogs increased by 9% in 2025, the number remains low by historical standards, with only 2024 reporting a lower figure. Overall, the use of dogs in science has declined over the past decade.Dogs are used only where ...
Home Office — extract
Shown as the API returns it in a list, cut off after about 250 characters. The whole answer is on parliament’s page.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the the potential benefits of introducing an initiative to provide livestock farmers with practical guidance on disease prevention and
Defra supports livestock farmers in England to improve disease prevention, biosecurity and the responsible use of antibiotics through existing initiatives, including the Animal Health and Welfare Review and the Poultry Biosecurity Review. The Department continues to assess the evidence on animal health and disease prevention to inform policy development.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to launch the consultation on phasing out farrowing crates for pigs; and what support she plans to make available to farmers to transition away from farrowing systems.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bolton South and Walkden on 10 July 2026, PQ UIN 15938 and the answer given on 14 July 2026 to the hon. Member for North West Norfolk, PQ UIN 17025.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has held with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on online animal cruelty content since the publication of the Animal Sentience Committee’s Octo
Defra officials have engaged with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on online animal welfare content since the publication of the Animal Sentience Committee’s October 2024 report, including discussions on the implementation of animal cruelty measures contained in the Online Safety Act 2023.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Court of Appeal ruling in December 2024 on the welfare of fast-growing chickens.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 July 2026 to the hon. Member for North Devon, PQ UIN 17121.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to (a) provide guidance to veterinary practices on the pricing of Animal Health Certificates and (b) introduce regulations on the price levels for Animal Health Certi
All fees set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices are a private matter between individual practices and their clients. Neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Battersea’s new Cost of Cute campaign.
Defra recognises the importance of conformation and genetic health in dogs and cats and supports education of owners and breeders to promote responsible breeding. As part of the Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government has committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform to improve the health and welfare of breeding dogs and their puppies. This Government has also committed to improve our understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, drawing on expertise from the sector, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare practices in the cat breeding sector.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken by her Department to ensure that animal conservation is recognised and promoted as part of a future UK – EU SPS veterinary agreement.
Defra is committed to supporting animal conservation and has been clear about the importance of our high animal welfare standards. This Government has committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit on the SPS Agreement which will make it easier to move animals between GB and the EU while protecting animal health and welfare standards. While those negotiations are ongoing, Defra cannot comment further on the SPS agreement.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide guidance on the welfare of animals during a hosepipe bans.
Defra’s Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, Cats and Horses advise owners about the importance of temperature control to avoid them becoming too hot or too cold, as well as not leaving them in unsuitable places like conservatories and vehicles during hot weather. Animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, and the British Veterinary Association provide advice to owners on how to look after pets in hot weather. Advice includes keeping animals in the shade where possible, keeping them hydrated, going for walks when it’s cooler and testing the temperature of pavements with one’s hand before walks.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to launching an independent review into the pig industry, to determine whether piglet thumping continues to be practised.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton on 4 June 2026 to PQ UIN 3739.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the consultation on phasing out the use of farrowing crates for sows.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given the hon. Member for Bolton South and Walkden on 10 July 2026, PQ UIN 15938.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she can confirm that the forthcoming consultation on phasing out farrowing crates will be based on a transition to free farrowing systems rather than permitting the continued u
The recently published animal welfare strategy sets out that ending the use of farrowing crates is a key priority for this Government. We want to work with the industry to help them transition away from the use of farrowing crates to alternative systems: either flexible farrowing where the sow is confined for the crucial few days around farrowing, or free farrowing where there is no confinement during farrowing or lactation.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of intensive factory farming of chickens, and whether there are plans to further regulate this sector with regards to ani
All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with legislation on animal health and welfare. The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The Animal Welfare Strategy outlines government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages and encourage efforts to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she can confirm if the forthcoming consultation on phasing out farrowing crates will be based on a transition to free farrowing systems rather than permitting the use of contin
The recently published animal welfare strategy sets out that ending the use of farrowing crates is a key priority for this Government. We want to work with the industry to help them transition away from the use of farrowing crates to alternative systems: either flexible farrowing where the sow is confined for the crucial few days around farrowing, or free farrowing where there is no confinement during farrowing or lactation.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the consultation on phasing out the use of fallow farming crates.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given the hon. Member for Bolton South and Walkden on 10 July 2026, PQ UIN 15938.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on introducing clearer country-of-origin and method-of-production food labelling to support higher animal welfare standards since the Government response to
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, and the Farming Roadmap published in June 2026, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how and where their food was produced. To support this, we will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare. We will set out next steps in due course. We will also continue to review origin labelling, using the outcomes of the Fairer Food Labelling consultation as supporting evidence for future labelling policy.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for project licenses involving canines were refused by her Department in the last 12 months on the sole basis that a scientifically satisfactory (a) method and (b) testing strate
The Home Office regulates the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Under ASPA, all project licence applications must comply with the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs), which set out that animals may only be used when no validated non-animal alternative exists, the number of animals is minimised, and any potential harms are minimised. In the last twelve months, the Home Office has not refused any licences involving canines on the grounds that a scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative method or testing strategy was available. The number of formal refusals is not, however, a meaningful indicator of either application of non-animal alternatives or regulatory rigour. All applications go through multiple review stages before reaching the Home Office Regulator, and guidance is available to assist applicants in preparing submissions that meet all legal requirements. Only applications that fully meet the requirements of the legislation may be considered for licensing authorisation. All establishments licensed to use animals must have an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), which reviews proposals before they are submitted to the Regulator. Therefore, establishments’ internal review processes are intended to identify where suitable alternatives are available before applications are progressed to the Home Office. Applications received by the Home Office are subject to detailed scrutiny, including requests for clarification or amendment where required. Applicants may revise or withdraw an application in response to feedback.
Home Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment's identification of risks to livestock from multiple climate hazards as a priority risk area, what steps her Department is
The Government has a protocol to monitor animal welfare during high-risk weather periods and ensure keepers take steps to mitigate risks. The Food Standards Agency shares data with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency for welfare issues originating on-farm and during transport. The Government has sought advice from the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) on the impacts of climate change on farmed animal welfare and potential mitigations. Part 1 of the project is underway and focuses on poultry species, and Part 2 will cover pigs and ruminants. We are currently considering what indicators are included in the fourth Adaptation Plan.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment's identification of risks to livestock from multiple climate hazards as a priority risk area, what steps her Department is
The Government has a protocol to monitor animal welfare during high-risk weather periods and ensure keepers take steps to mitigate risks. The Food Standards Agency shares data with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency for welfare issues originating on-farm and during transport. The Government has sought advice from the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) on the impacts of climate change on farmed animal welfare and potential mitigations. Part 1 of the project is underway and focuses on poultry species, and Part 2 will cover pigs and ruminants. We are currently considering what indicators are included in the fourth Adaptation Plan.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment they have made of the potential impact of Natural England's proposals to include Dartmoor ponies in livestock counts on the future population and conservation of Dartmo
The Government recognises the important role that Dartmoor ponies play in the landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage of Dartmoor. There are no plans under this Government to reduce the number of Dartmoor ponies, and we are working closely with Natural England and other stakeholders to support a thriving pony population alongside the recovery of Dartmoor's protected habitats.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the average annual savings for pet owners arising from the proposed cap on written prescription charges.
The Department has not made a separate estimate of the average annual savings for pet owners arising from the cap on written prescription charges. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) introduced the cap as part of a wider package of remedies to imp...
Department for Business and Trade — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 1 July (HL1346), how the level of pain expected to be experienced by animals is measured within the harm-benefit analysis.
Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, project licences cannot authorise procedures that may cause the animal severe pain, suffering or distress that is likely to be long-lasting and cannot be alleviated. The earliest project licence applicat...
Home Office — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 1 July (HL1346), when an application for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was last rejected on the grounds that it would involve
Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, project licences cannot authorise procedures that may cause the animal severe pain, suffering or distress that is likely to be long-lasting and cannot be alleviated. The earliest project licence applicat...
Home Office — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the results of the lamb welfare consultation on proposed changes to castration and tail docking methods, which closed on 9 March.
The Government is currently analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State on 9 June 2026 (UIN 7005), why they concluded that banning castration and tail docking of lambs was not the correct approach; and whether they will make their statemen
This Government recognises that there are situations where completely removing the need for these procedures is not feasible and would not reflect the evidence base or sectoral needs and could result in unintended negative consequences for animal welfare....
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of advice from the British Veterinary Association that high temperatures can pose serious risks to animal welfare, whether compliance with licence conditions relating to temperature control and ventilation at lice
Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), licensed establishments are responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals in their care at all times, including during extremes of temperature. All such establishments must comply with ASPA, the...
Home Office — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government how many unannounced inspections have been carried out at licensed establishments breeding dogs for scientific procedures during periods when heat-health alerts have been in force in each of the last five years.
Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), licensed establishments are responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals in their care at all times, including during extremes of temperature. All such establishments must comply with ASPA, the...
Home Office — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Policy paper: “Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods”, published on 11 November 2025, w
The Government is increasing investment in alternative methods through delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The strategy was supported by £75 million of funding to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods,...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 11617, what her planned timeline is for the regulatory acceptance of alternatives in pharmacokinetic and cardiovascular safety s
The Replacing Animals in Science strategy includes a commitment to reduce the use of dogs in pharmacokinetic and cardiovascular safety studies by 35% by 2030, where scientifically justified and supported by validated alternatives. The Government is workin...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of compliance with animal welfare standards in commercial poultry production.
The Government remains firmly committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards. Compliance with animal welfare standards is monitored by Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) who conduct inspections to check that animal welfare standards are...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to implement the findings of the December 2024 Court of Appeal ruling on animal welfare practices that breach the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England
The judicial review challenge relating to the legality of keeping fast-growing breeds of meat chickens was unanimously dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The Court made no declaration that the keeping of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens was unlawful an...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on Welsh livestock numbers.
I have regular discussions with the farming unions on a range of matters. While agriculture is devolved to the Welsh Government, the farming unions are a key partner for the Wales Office and both the Secretary of State and I are committed to working with ...
Wales Office — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to consult on phasing out the use of farrowing crates for sows.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given the hon. Member for Bolton South and Walkden, Yasmin Qureshi, on 10 July 2026, PQ UIN15938.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the potential impact of farrowing crates on piglet mortality rates.
The Government’s animal welfare strategy sets out that ending the use of farrowing crates is a key priority. The evidence around farrowing crates and piglet mortality is complex. Farrowing crates can reduce the risk of piglet crushing, but they also restr...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her department has made on the effectiveness of farrowing crates for sows in rearing piglets.
The Government’s animal welfare strategy sets out that ending the use of farrowing crates is a key priority. The evidence around farrowing crates and piglet mortality is complex. Farrowing crates can reduce the risk of piglet crushing, but they also restr...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support will be available for pig producers to transition to free farrowing systems.
The Government is committed to working closely with the industry to explore how to transition away from the use of farrowing crates to alternative systems.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the comparative costs of transitioning from farrowing crates to (a) temporary crating systems and (b) free farrowing systems, and if she will ask the An
As stated in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government wants to work with the industry so that it ends the use of pig farrowing crates. There will be a consultation on transitioning to alternative systems which will include an assessment of the costs an...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the import of unethical fur products to Wales.
The Animal Welfare Strategy set out actions which this Government is taking concerning the fur trade and Defra has now brought together a working group on fur, with involvement from both industry experts and those who support restrictions on the trade in ...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for farmed animal mortality data to be published on publicly accessible platforms.
ID and traceability regulations require keepers to report cattle deaths to the relevant government system and sheep and goat deaths in on-farm holding registers. At present there are no plans to publish farmed animal mortality data. Defra will, however, c...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will bring forward regulations under the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.
The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities taking place abroad. As set out in th...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has considered introducing financial support for the veterinary care of retired police dogs for injuries and health conditions sustained during operational service.
Police support animals play an important role in crime detection, prevention, and public safety. The government values the bravery and skill of police dogs and their handlers, recognising the strong bond formed through their work.Police forces are respons...
Home Office — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government how many cattle were slaughtered because of suspected bovine tuberculosis in 2024 and 2025; and of those cattle, how many were subsequently confirmed to have had tuberculosis.
The number of cattle slaughtered for TB control purposes in Great Britain in 2024 and 2025 were as follows: YearEnglandScotlandWalesTOTAL202421,58613,03324634,865202520,49411,25729032,041 The comparative format of the tuberculin skin test used in the UK i...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government how many badgers were culled in 2024 and 2025 in an effort to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle; and of those badgers, how many were subsequently confirmed to have had tuberculosis.
The number of badgers culled under licence for bovine TB control purposes is published annually on GOV. UK. In 2024, the published total was 17,150.Data on the numbers culled under licence in 2025 will be published in due course. Badgers removed through i...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the use of generic service licences for animal experiments, granted without identification of the specific substance to be tested, and what steps she is taking to ensure that a robu
All project licence applications for the use of animals in scientific procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, including service licences, are reviewed by trained Home Office inspectors prior to being authorised. Licences may only be...
Home Office — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department defines the statutory term scientifically satisfactory under Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as being legally dependent upon formal regulatory (a) val
Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), the statutory duty in section 2A requires the Secretary of State to ensure compliance with the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (3Rs principles). In relation to the principle of...
Home Office — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to publish a consultation on phasing out the use of farrowing crates for sows.
The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out that ending the use of cages and crates is a key priority for this Government. We will be consulting on the transition away from the use of farrowing crates to alternative systems, in due course.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is collecting data on the number of flexible crates being installed by pig farmers in England; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that v
No such data is being collected on the number of flexible crates being installed. As stated in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government wants to work with industry so that it ends the use of pig farrowing crates. A consultation on the transition to alt...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of setting annual targets for reducing the number of instances of animal testing.
The Government has considered the importance of measuring progress in reducing reliance on animals in science. However, it is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and ongoing regulatory requirements. Any r...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to set out a timetable for phasing out animal testing where alternatives are viable.
The Government’s Replacing Animals in Science strategy sets out a long-term, science-led approach to reducing reliance on animal testing. Where validated alternatives are available, existing legislation already requires them to be used in place of animals...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to reduce duplication in animal testing.
The Government is taking several steps to avoid unnecessary duplication in animal testing. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, applicants must demonstrate that they have considered existing evidence and alternative approaches before animal...
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of requiring manufacturers of ground maintenance equipment to put stickers or markings on such products to warn users t
The Department has not made a specific assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the merits of requiring manufacturers of ground maintenance equipment to place stickers or markings on such products advising users to check for hedgehogs before use.
Department for Business and Trade — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will undertake analysis of modifications required to farmed animal housing and transport in order to safeguard animal welfare in extreme heat.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned the Animal Welfare Committee to assess the likely impacts of climate change on farmed animals and what measures could be put in place by the farming sector to protect animals against these ...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data her Department holds on the number of farmed animals that have required veterinary attention and/or died on-farm or in transport as a result of heat stress or other extreme w
The Government does not hold data on the number of farmed animals that have required veterinary attention and/or died on-farm due to heat stress.Data from 2022 indicates that, in July and August 2022 when there was unprecedented hot weather in the UK, app...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made in implementing the Animal Welfare Committee's recommendations on lamb castration and tail docking.
As a result of considering the recommendations in the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the Implications of Castration and Tail Docking for the Welfare of Lambs, the Government issued a UK-wide consultation on lamb castration and tail docking which la...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to help prevent the importation of low-welfare animal products.
The Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare protections. The Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will ...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the number of schools in England and Wales that operate beagle packs, and (2) the extent to which such packs are being used to pursue or kill hares; and what plans they have to review t
The department has not undertaken an assessment of the number of schools operating beagle packs or the extent to which such packs may be being used to kill hares. The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs, except where it is...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the impact of the red warning of extreme heat from 24 to 26 June on (1) factory farmed chickens and pigs, and (2) livestock transported by road; and what plans they have to reduce
This Government has a protocol in place to monitor the welfare of animals during amber and red weather warning periods and works closely with partners to ensure that the appropriate steps are being taken by keepers to mitigate risks to animal welfare duri...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to publish a consultation on the regulation of consumer fireworks.
The Government recognises that people hold a range of views on consumer fireworks, including their impacts on people, animals and local communities, as well as their importance to businesses and to cultural and religious celebrations. The regulatory frame...
Department for Business and Trade — extract
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data her Department holds on the number of farmed animals that have required veterinary attention and/or died on-farm or in transport as a result of heat stress or other extreme w
The Government does not hold data on the number of farmed animals that have required veterinary attention and/or died on-farm due to heat stress.Data from 2022 indicates that, in July and August 2022 when there was unprecedented hot weather in the UK, app...
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — extract
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The API matches a search term anywhere in a question, and it treats a phrase as a list of alternatives rather than a phrase — asking it for “animal welfare” returns more rows than asking it for “animal”, because everything about welfare of any kind comes back too. It also matches inside words, so a search for “fur” returns twenty-five thousand results on the strength of “further”. The sweep therefore asks 14 single words and keeps only the questions whose parliamentary heading or question text mentions one of the 86 animal subjects the site watches — the same list the petitions and bills pages use.
animal · animals · dog · cat · wildlife · badger · livestock · hunting · pet · horse · zoo · poultry · pigeon · greyhound
Answers are fetched one question at a time, because the API truncates them to about 250 characters when it returns a list. Until an answer has been fetched in full the page shows the extract and says so, rather than presenting a sentence that stops mid-clause as a department’s whole position.
It does not name the member who tabled a question or the minister who signed the answer. The API returns both, and will expand them into full member records on request; it is not asked to. A question is shown against the House it was tabled in and an answer against the department that gave it, which is what makes this a record of policy rather than a record of people. Names are on parliament’s own page for each question.
Source: the UK Parliament Questions and Statements API, free and keyless. Bills are on the bills page and recorded votes on the divisions page. Method last reviewed 23 August 2026; each answer above carries the date it was given.