The Vegetarian Society welcomes the Government’s Farming Roadmap 2050

The Roadmap includes mention of several of our key campaigns – including ending male chick culling and improving welfare for lambs. However, there is little detail on the Government’s plan to bring these to a swift conclusion. The report mentions ‘encouraging industry to end the practice of culling male laying hen chicks’. However, no timeframe is given for this, nor is there any substantive detail on how such a change might be achieved.

The same is true for lamb-welfare initiatives. The report mentions ‘supporting changes in management practices that improve lamb welfare’, but there is no detail on how we might see an end to routine tail-docking and castration in lambs. We welcome the Government’s commitment to both of these topics, but would like to see greater detail on proposals to end them entirely.

We also welcome the reference to ‘exploring opportunities to diversify into lower emission farming systems where appropriate, for example growing oilseeds and pulses as demand for plant-based foods increases’. Transitioning farming away from livestock rearing and towards greater production of plant-based protein sources is key to the UK’s environmental commitments.

With animal agriculture representing a major part of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, moving towards growing more pulses and vegetables would prove a major boost to a carbon-neutral future. However, the report does not put forward any suggestions or proposed timetables for this to happen. Greater detail is needed to help convince farmers that switching from livestock to pulses is viable.

Overall, the Vegetarian Society is pleased to see the Government remains committed to ending male chick culling, improving lamb welfare and helping farms transition to a more environmentally friendly future. Without a clear plan on the details and proposed timings however, these commitments risk falling down a list of priorities. The Vegetarian Society has already published a proposed timetable, viewable here, to end male chick culling, that has been co-signed and approved by a number of MPs. Supporting this plan would represent a defined plan to end male chick culling, and show that the Government is serious about improving animal welfare.

What can you do to help us?

You can express your support for an end to cruel routine lamb-farming practices like tail docking and castration by signing our writing to your MP.

You can also sign our petition to show your support for an end to male chick culling.