Ministers defend ‘most ambitious animal welfare strategy in generation’ before publication – UK politics live

Conservatives claim government’s plan for higher welfare standards for farmed animals could undermine British agricultureGood morning. Parliament is in recess, ministers, like everyone else, are getting ready for Christmas, but the government does have a big announcement today – its animal welfare strategy. The document is being published later today, but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already published a good summary here.There are multiple strands to what is being proposed. As Helena Horton reported at the weekend, there are plans to ban trail hunting and shooting hares during most of the year. Continue reading...