26.01.26
On 21st January 2026, MPs gathered in Westminster Hall to debate the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy for England, the first opportunity for Parliament to scrutinise the long-term plan published at the end of last year. The strategy sets out ambitions to improve the lives of animals across England, including companion animals and wildlife.
Naturewatch Foundation welcomes commitments in the strategy to tackle wildlife crime and crack down on puppy farming, amongst others. However, like many MPs across parties, we have concerns about the lack of clear timelines and sufficient resources to ensure these commitments are delivered in practice.
The debate revealed that there is strong cross-party support for better animal welfare, but also frustration with the pace of change and the absence of concrete deadlines. Read on to find out what MPs said, how it relates to Naturewatch Foundation’s campaigns and what it could mean for animal welfare in England.
Tackling wildlife crime: Why enforcement matters
Wildlife crime was one of the most prominent themes of the debate, with MPs emphasising how weak enforcement and poor recording allow offences against wild animals to continue unchecked. Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole) criticised the ongoing failure to make wildlife crime notifiable. This means offences such as illegal hunting, persecution of wildlife, and the use of snares are still not consistently recorded. This lack of systematic reporting makes it difficult for police and investigators to detect trends, hold offenders accountable, or allocate enforcement resources effectively.
Navendu Mishra MP (Stockport) welcomed the Government’s commitment to ban trail hunting and restrict snare traps, practices frequently linked to illegal persecution, noting that trail hunting is often used as a “smoke screen” for illegal activity. He stressed that these commitments must be supported by strong enforcement, clear legal frameworks, and explicit timeframes if they are to offer real protection for wildlife.
These concerns sit at the heart of Naturewatch Foundation’s Wildlife Crime campaign, which exposes how failures in recording, monitoring and sentencing allow offenders to act with impunity. Our campaign highlights threats including illegal hunting, snaring, coursing, and attacks on wildlife using catapults and other easily accessible weapons. Naturewatch Foundation also supports police training, field investigations, and policy reform, whilst advocating for stronger legal protections and harsher penalties for offenders.
Protecting companion animals from puppy farms and unethical breeding
Puppy farming and the illegal import of pets were also major focuses of the debate, with MPs emphasising the widespread suffering caused by low-welfare breeding and imported animals. Samantha Niblett MP (South Derbyshire), who secured the debate, condemned “barbaric” puppy farms, highlighting the long-term physical and emotional harm inflicted on dogs and the distress this causes to families.
John Whitby MP (Derbyshire Dales) joined calls for urgent action to end puppy farming, while Cat Eccles MP (Stourbridge) raised concerns about gaps in protections for cats and kittens. Dr Danny Chambers MP (Winchester), who is a vet, highlighted the serious welfare problems associated with extreme brachycephalic (aka flat-faced) breeds, and the lack of parity between dog and cat breeding regulations. He stressed that social media-driven demand and inclusion of extreme breeds in advertising make it easier for low-welfare breeders to thrive, putting companion animals at risk.
In response, Defra Minister, Angela Eagle MP (Wallasey), confirmed that the Government will consult on reforming dog-breeding standards, introduce secondary legislation to tackle puppy smuggling, and consider licensing rehoming organisations to ensure better welfare outcomes.
MPs emphasised that clear timelines and enforceable legislation are essential if these commitments are to translate into real improvements. These concerns directly align with Naturewatch Foundation’s Companion Animals campaign, which calls for stronger protections for pets, tighter regulation of breeders and better enforcement to prevent cruelty and exploitation.
Other key animal welfare concerns
Beyond wildlife and companion animals, MPs highlighted a wide range of additional welfare concerns. Kerry McCarthy MP (Bristol East) and Liz Jarvis MP (Erewash) called for stronger protections for greyhounds, highlighting ongoing welfare risks in racing and rehoming. Tim Farron MP (Westmorland and Lonsdale) and Robbie Moore MP (Keighley and Ilkley) raised concerns about the import of low welfare meat and the need for clearer food labelling to allow consumers to make informed choices. Other MPs, including Gavin Williamson MP (South Staffordshire), drew attention to hare coursing, non-stun slaughter, and fireworks.
The use of animals in science was also raised during the debate. Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole) spoke about the need to move more quickly towards ending animal testing, while Navendu Mishra MP (Stockport) noted that many constituents had contacted him calling for animal testing to be brought to an end. Although this issue sits outside the Animal Welfare Strategy itself, it is being addressed through a separate government plan to phase out animal testing by developing and using non-animal alternatives, which Naturewatch Foundation is closely monitoring as part of its work to end animal suffering in laboratories.
How Ministers answered MPs’ concerns
Responding to the debate, Defra Minister Angela Eagle MP (Wallasey) outlined the Government’s ambitions under the Animal Welfare Strategy, including action on wildlife crime, puppy farming, breeding standards and farmed animal welfare. She emphasised that the strategy is intended to be a long-term framework, supported by future consultations and secondary legislation, and pointed to related work such as the separate roadmap to phase out animal testing. However, as many MPs noted, the Government offered limited detail on when these commitments would be delivered, leaving ongoing concerns about the absence of clear timelines and how progress will be measured in practice.
Staying engaged: How you can make a difference
Naturewatch Foundation will closely monitor the implementation of the Animal Welfare Strategy and will hold the Government to account to ensure its promises are translated into real protections for animals.
There are several ways you can help make a difference, too:
- Follow Naturewatch Foundation’s campaigns on wildlife crime, companion animals, and animal experiments to learn about current actions and policy developments.
- Respond to consultations on dog breeding, shock collars, and trail hunting when they are launched – we’ll keep you posted!
- Report concerns about suspected wildlife crime or illegal breeding to our investigators.
By staying informed, participating in consultations, and supporting campaigns, everyone can contribute to a UK where all animals are protected, respected, and given the welfare they deserve.
Naturewatch Foundation would like to thank all of the MPs who attended the debate and spoke up for animals.
