Raising the Bar on Animal Welfare 

Written By Ehsan Ibrahim

Animals are dear to my heart, as I know they are to so many of you living in Nuneaton. I have been campaigning with Ministers alongside so many of you to ensure that animals are protected and have been asking on your behalf about a consultation for the ban on Snare Traps, which a recent YouGov poll found 71% of adults think should be illegal. 

At the end of 2025, DEFRA published a new policy paper detailing their plans on an improved animal welfare strategy for England.  

In this paper, the Government has pledged to: 

  • Address loopholes regarding the breeding of dogs and cats. 

  • Ban snare traps. 

  • Introduce a close season for hares. 

  • Deliver on our manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting- keep an eye out for a consultation opening soon. 

  • Open further consultations on phasing out the use of cages in farming. 

  • Move away from CO2 use in the killing of pigs. 

  • Introduce standards for humane killing of fish. 

I know that many of you have reached out to me about banning trail hunting – a promise we committed to in our manifesto. Large packs of hounds can endanger wildlife, pets, and even people, and the practice risks being used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting. In response to constituent’s concerns about this, I have been in contact directly with Baroness Hayman about this issue, and ensuring that the ban is effective, enforceable and truly protects our countryside and rural communities. I am pleased to announce that the Government has now launched a consultation as the first step towards fulfilling this manifesto promise.  

This consultation invites views on the Government’s proposed approach to implementing a ban on trail hunting in England and Wales. We welcome views from the public, landowners, conservation organisations, animal welfare groups, hunt organisers, local authorities and businesses. See the consultation here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/defra/trail-hunting-consultation/ 

Thank you to everyone who has written in and contributed their thoughts about animal welfare; it has been the engagement of constituents across the country, including those in Nuneaton, that has helped provide the Government with the information needed to positively change how we’re looking at improving animal welfare in England! 
 
See more details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england  

Photos include a hedgehog, a rabbit and a dog.

Ehsan Ibrahim