A King's Speech bill which aims to reduce red tape at the border must not put the UK’s "hard gotten gains" on animal welfare at risk. That's the message from the RSPCA - who say moves to closely align the UK’s food, plant and animal health standards with the European Union must not row back on progress on issues such as the prohibition of live animal exports, and on puppy smuggling. 

In 2024, history was made when the live export of farm animals and horses abroad for fattening and slaughter was banned - meaning livestock no longer face gruelling journeys abroad for further fattening and slaughter in cramped and poor conditions.And the UK also passed legislation last year banning the import of heavily pregnant or mutilated pets, including puppies by raising the import age to six months.The RSPCA says such advances "must be protected" to avoid a "row back on animal welfare" - as the UK Government explores closer regulatory alignment with European neighbours as part of a new European Partnership Bill.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “In recent years, there's been some real hard gotten gains for animals - including the historic end to the live export of animals, and action against pet smuggling.“"Because of those wins, farm animals no longer face being crowded onto trucks and put through the mental exhaustion and stress of journeys across the continent; while many unscrupulous pet traders have been stopped in their tracks.“It's absolutely vital these animal welfare successes are protected as part of any closer regulatory alignment with the European Union announced in the King’s Speech.

"Last year, the UK and EU established a Common Understanding that the RSPCA hopes will allow the UK to maintain higher animal welfare standards in specific areas - known as a “carveout”, which should also ensure the UK Government’s future ambitions to phase out cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs to progress.David added: “We believe the UK's higher animal welfare standards - like these policies on live exports and puppy smuggling - comply with the agreed Common Understanding. But the RSPCA hopes there is much more to come from the UK Government as it shapes its future legislative agenda.

In December, Ministers published a new Animal Welfare Strategy for England  including proposals to regulate animal sanctuaries, stop irresponsible dog breeding, and end the use of cages for many farmed animals. There were also plans to ban trail hunting, end the use of snares to catch wildlife in England and modernise the veterinary industry.These pledges are not directly contained within this year’s King’s Speech - and the RSPCA has urged decision makers to ensure animal welfare "remains a priority" in the years which follow. David said: “It's so important that the UK Government builds on their commitments by publishing clear timelines for delivery; and we also believe an annual debate in Parliament would help review progress and keep the public informed. Moving forward, any European Partnership Bill must make clear that there'll be no row back for animal welfare.

”More information on the RSPCA’s work with lawmakers is available on the charity’s Political Animal website (http://www.rspca.org.uk/politicalanimal)