Labour has a proud record on animal welfare. From banning fur farming and fox hunting to the Animal Welfare Act, I am proud to have been part of a brave and reforming government. I want to lead a government that matches that ambition.
Animal welfare is a moral cause. We also understand even better, today, that the exploitation of animals goes hand in hand with disease outbreaks and the undercutting of responsible firms. That’s why I fully support the animal welfare strategy and want to see it implemented, including the ban on trail hunting.
On animal testing, I have long supported the Three Rs – reduction, refinement and replacement. And although it didn’t command the headlines, I know from my inbox that these issues matter hugely to many people in places like Makerfield.
By contrast, Reform wants to scrap ‘thousands of laws,’ including animal welfare laws. We have to take them on and expose the fact that they would undo decades of progress.
The Labour Animal Welfare Society has played a critical role in the development of our Party’s great, reforming agenda. I want to draw on the experience and knowledge within our Party as we see through our manifesto commitments on animal welfare, and as we develop our policies for the next election.
