Andy Burnham's commitment to animal welfare must now deliver for animals   

In a recent statement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed his commitment to animal welfare, acknowledging it as a moral cause and pledging his full support for the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy.

Published in December 2025, the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy sets out the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation. We were particularly pleased to see commitments to end some of the UK’s cruellest farming practices, including male chick culling and the routine tail docking and castration of lambs. These issues are far too often ignored.

Burnham also highlighted Labour’s proud history of animal welfare reform, including the Animal Welfare Act, the ban on fur farming and the Hunting Act. He recognised that stronger protections for animals also support responsible businesses and help reduce the risks associated with disease.

These are encouraging words. Now they need to be matched with action.

While many people assume the UK’s animal welfare standards are among the best in the world, millions of farmed animals continue to endure practices that most consumers would be shocked to discover.

End male chick culling

Every year, around 45 million male chicks are killed shortly after hatching because they cannot lay eggs and are not considered commercially viable for meat production. We’re working to end this through our Ban Hatch & Dispatch campaign.

A growing number of countries have introduced in-ovo sexing technology, commercially available technology that provides a practical alternative and prevents millions of chicks from being born only to be killed within hours. The latest figures show that since 2021, more than 281 million male embryos have been identified before hatching.

The UK is now drastically falling behind.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government commits to working with industry to end male chick culling. We are now awaiting a clear roadmap and timeline for the UK to transition to in-ovo sexing technology and bring this outdated practice to an end.

End routine tail docking and castration of lambs

Millions of lambs undergo routine tail docking and castration every year, often without pain relief. In many cases, this painful procedure is unnecessary.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government commits to working with the sheep sector to implement the Animal Welfare Committee’s recommendations on lamb welfare.

Importantly, the Animal Welfare Committee has recommended legislative changes by 2028 to end the routine tail docking and castration of lambs, so that these procedures are permitted only in limited circumstances, where there is a clear welfare justification and appropriate veterinary oversight.

The Government has already taken an important first step by launching a consultation on these proposals. We now hope to see the consultation outcome published as soon as possible, followed by legislation that ends these painful routine mutilations.

Turning words into action

While there is so much work to be done for animals, ending cruel farming practices like male chick culling and the routine tail docking and castration of lambs should be among the Government’s priorities and would spare tens of millions of animals from unnecessary suffering every year.

At the Vegetarian Society, we’ll continue working with policymakers, industry and the public to secure stronger protections for animals, while making it easier for everyone to reduce demand on animal agriculture and eat more plants instead.

If animal welfare really is a moral cause, let’s make sure that principle is reflected not only in our words, but in the lives of the animals who need our protection most.

Take action

Sign our petition to end male chick culling

Write to your MP and ask them to support an end to the routine tail docking and castration of lambs