Animal Welfare Strategy launched by MP sets new national standards.

An Animal Welfare Strategy launched in December focuses on improving welfare for pets, farmed animals and wild animals.

Animal welfare is presented as a priority in a column by the Wirral West MP, who highlights local rescue work and national reform. The MP recalls visiting Whitegates Animal Sanctuary (now Willowfields Sanctuary and Rescue), and says he has received extensive correspondence from constituents about animal welfare. The column notes that a new Animal Welfare Strategy was launched in December and sets out reforms across several areas. Key details: - The MP visited Whitegates Animal Sanctuary (now Willowfields Sanctuary and Rescue), a volunteer-led project that cares for over 100 rescued animals. - Since election the MP reports receiving over 650 pieces of correspondence about animal welfare from constituents. - The Animal Welfare Strategy was launched in December and focuses on pets, farmed animals and wild animals. - The column says the Strategy includes measures to ban trail hunting and snare traps. - It describes plans to end practices described as puppy farming and to build on laws addressing puppy smuggling. - The Strategy also proposes consulting on a ban for electric shock collars and considering licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations, and it references moves away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates. Summary: The article presents the new Animal Welfare Strategy as a set of reforms covering pets, farmed animals and wildlife, and it links those proposals to local rescue work and public concern. The column reports that the Strategy includes consultations and consideration of licensing and regulatory changes as set out in the Strategy.