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New year, new hope for animals as welfare strategy launched with help from Dame Joanna Lumley
DEFRA aiming to achieve "generational step change" for livestock, wildlife and pets
Leading animal welfare charity Battersea has welcomed DEFRA Secretary Emma Reynolds MP for a tour of its London centre to mark the Government's launch of its new Animal Welfare Strategy.
Mrs Reynolds was joined by actress Dame Joanna Lumley and TV personality Faye Winter for the visit, during which they were able to discuss official plans for improving the lives of livestock, wildlife and pets in England as well as meet some of the facility's endearing guests.
Lucy Hastings, Battersea’s Director of Operations, and Rebecca MacIver, Operations Manager, led the group on the tour and introduced them to a range of animals.
These included two-month-old Jack Russell Terrier puppies Carrot and Potato, who stole the visitors' hearts.
The pair were born on site after their heavily pregnant mum arrived as a stray, but thanks to round-the-clock care from Battersea staff and their foster carer, both puppies are now thriving with loving homes lined up.
In the cattery, the Secretary of State and guests met with staff and volunteers to learn about the vital behind-the-scenes work of caring for and rehoming rescue cats.
Mrs Reynolds, who was appointed Secretary of State for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs in September, was also introduced to Newt, a three-month-old black kitten who arrived as a stray and has since blossomed into a loving and playful companion thanks to Battersea's dedicated carers.
Battersea said the new strategy follows a landmark year for progress in animal welfare in the UK, which included the passing of both the Renters’ Rights Act and the Animal Welfare (Imports) Act within months of each other after years of campaigning by the charity.
However, the visit highlighted how stronger protections and clearer regulation could further reduce the number of animals entering the charity's care.
Michael Webb, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Battersea, said: "Battersea welcomes the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy.
"The reforms laid out in the Strategy will address some of the key issues that we as a charity have been campaigning for over many years, including regulating the rescue sector, tackling bad breeding practices and putting an end to puppy smuggling.
"There is clearly still a lot of detail to work out, and the strategy does not claim to tackle every problem animals face.
"However, Battersea is hopeful that it will be the catalyst for real, lasting change and ultimately make a brighter future for animals across the country.
"We look forward to working alongside the Government to ensure these promises are implemented effectively and ultimately safeguard the welfare of dogs and cats."
The Government's Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on December 22, sets out national plans to achieve a "generational step change" in animal welfare, incorporating advances in scientific knowledge and changing responsibilities.
Priority policy changes include moves to address such as legal loopholes concerning the breeding of dogs and cats, banning snare traps, introducing a close season for hares, delivering on a manifesto commitment to ban trail hunting, consulting on phasing out the use of cages in farming, moving away from the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) to stun pigs, and creating standards for the humane killing of fish.
