Mary McCartney joins cross-party politicians to urge Government to end painful mutilations on lambs

Mary McCartney has joined a group of over 30 cross-party MPs, peers and organisations in writing to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for an urgent end to the routine tail docking and castration of lambs, arguing that the practices cause significant and avoidable suffering and are no longer justified by current scientific evidence. The action is part of the Vegetarian Society’s ‘Love Lambs Week’ which takes place from 1st–7th September, a week dedicated to promoting empathy towards lambs, encouraging people to see them as animals rather than food.  

Signatories argue that both tail docking and castration cause acute pain, tissue damage, inflammation and prolonged stress responses, with lambs displaying well-documented behavioural signs of distress. They note that while pain relief may reduce some immediate effects, it does not prevent the underlying tissue damage associated with the procedures and is not always consistently applied. 

The letter also calls for a move towards more diverse agriculture, supporting horticulture growth and helping the UK to increase fibre through plants. Mary McCartney, photographer, filmmaker and sustainable food pioneer, and her family have a history of working towards more sustainable diets. Sir Paul McCartney is a long-time animal advocate and launched Meat Free Monday, a not-for-profit initiative, with Mary and Stella McCartney in 2009. 

Mary McCartney said: 

“It’s time for the UK to show true leadership in animal welfare by bringing the routine tail docking and castration of lambs to an end. At the same time, we should support a transition away from farming systems that rely on painful mutilations as standard, encourage greater diversification across agriculture, and invest in our arable and horticultural sectors. Doing so would strengthen UK food security, support healthier, plant-rich diets, and help build a more compassionate and sustainable food system for the future.” 

The letter follows Defra’s recent consultation on the issue, which closed in March 2026, and comes after the Government committed in its Animal Welfare Strategy (published in December 2025) to work with the sheep sector to implement the Animal Welfare Committee’s (AWC) recommendations and update the Sheep Welfare Code. It urges the Government to implement the recommendations set out in the AWC’s 2024 ‘Opinion on the Implications of Castration and Tail Docking for the Welfare of Lambs’. 

The Animal Welfare Committee has recommended that legislation across the UK be updated by 2028 to reflect current scientific evidence. It argues that routine tail docking and castration should only be permitted in limited circumstances where there is a clear welfare justification, no viable alternative, and appropriate veterinary oversight. 

Signatories are urging further action since the consultation on this topic. In their letter, they call on the Government to take urgent action to: 

• Prohibit the routine tail docking and castration of lambs and bring amended legislation into force by 2028 at the latest, publishing a clear implementation timetable this year; 

• Restrict any exemptions to clinically necessary cases under veterinary supervision and with effective pain relief; 

• Introduce stronger monitoring, reporting and enforcement mechanisms; 

• Require imported food products to meet UK animal welfare standards; and 

• Support a transition away from farming systems that rely on routine mutilations. 

The signatories argue that routine husbandry practices must reflect current evidence on animal sentience and welfare, and that the Government now has an opportunity to act on expert recommendations. 

Adrian Ramsay, Green Party MP for Waveney Valley, is holding a parliamentary session on the topic this week to educate MPs on key issues for lambs. He said: 

“The UK is a nation of animal lovers. We have a proud reputation for high animal welfare standards, but we cannot afford to stand still when the evidence tells us animals can be spared unnecessary suffering. The Animal Welfare Committee has made clear that routine tail docking and castration in lambs should no longer be the default approach. Ministers now have a real opportunity to deliver meaningful reform. 

By implementing these recommendations, the Government can improve welfare for lambs while supporting a more sustainable future for the sheep sector. I urge the DEFRA Minister to seize this opportunity, end these largely unnecessary routine procedures, and spare countless lambs from avoidable suffering.” 

The letter is signed by a total of 24 MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum, including Irene Campbell MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, Cat Eccles MP, Hannah Spencer MP, Carla Denyer MP, Adrian Ramsay MP, Iqbal Mohamed MP, Rachael Maskell MP, Alex Easton MP, John McDonnell MP, Sian Berry MP, Andrew George MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and Kerry McCarthy MP. It is also supported by the Vegetarian Society, Animal Equality UK, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK, Humane World for Animals, OneKind and World Animal Protection, alongside Mary McCartney. 

The Vegetarian Society’s Love Lambs campaign urges people to see lambs as unique, sentient animals. As well as urging the Government to end some of the cruellest practices lambs currently face in the farming system, the Society is calling on the UK public to leave lambs off plates and incorporate more plants instead.  

Jenny Canham, Public Affairs Lead at the Vegetarian Society, said: 

“Millions of lambs undergo painful procedures every year as a matter of routine. The science is clear that tail docking and castration can cause significant suffering, and expert advisers have already set out a clear pathway for change. Now, the Government must act. 

This Love Lambs Week, we urge the Government to end the routine tail docking and castration of lambs and to support farmers in transitioning towards more diverse farming systems for a healthier, more sustainable and more compassionate future. All of us can play a part in that transition too, by choosing to leave lambs, and all animals, off our plates.” 

The Vegetarian Society has launched a new petition calling on the Government to end the routine mutilations of lambs. The charity is also inviting the public to sign up to Love Lambs Week to receive a recipe and information booklet, featuring Mary McCartney’s crowd-pleasing Black Bean Burger, Anna Jones’ comforting Saag Aloo ‘Shepherd’s’ Pie, and Ella Mills’ (Deliciously Ella) Balsamic-Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Butter Bean Mash. The booklet also includes further inspiration from Matt Pritchard, Katy Beskow, and COOK! with The Vegetarian Society. 

Notes to editors 

• For all press enquiries, please contact jenny@vegsoc.org 

• The Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in 2025, committed to working with the sheep sector to implement the Committee’s recommendations and update the Sheep Welfare Code. 

• Tail docking and castration are currently permitted under the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007. 

• Full list of signatories: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Sîan Berry MP, Richard Burgon MP, Ian Byrne MP, Irene Campbell MP, Baroness Cass, Carla Denyer MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, Alex Easton MP, Cat Eccles MP, Andrew George MP, Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, Rachael Maskell MP, Alex Mayer MP, Kerry McCarthy MP, John McDonnell MP, Iqbal Mohamed MP, Toby Perkins MP, Adrian Ramsay MP, Baroness Redfern, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Hannah Spencer MP and Baroness Young of Hornsey, It is also supported by organisations the Vegetarian Society, Animal Equality UK, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS UK, Humane World for Animals, OneKind and World Animal Protection, as well as Mary McCartney, photographer, filmmaker and sustainable food pioneer 

• Find full information on the Vegetarian Society’s Love Lambs campaign here 

• The petition is available here 

• The Vegetarian Society’s Love Lambs Week 2026 booklet is available here 

• Meat Free Monday is a not-for-profit initiative launched by Sir Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney in 2009 

About the Vegetarian Society 

The Vegetarian Society is a charity formed in 1847. Together we are working towards a better life for all. A better life for animals, for people and for the planet. We know small changes by many can make a huge difference. We work with communities, businesses and policy-makers to drive real change. From recipes and cookery classes to political campaigning, we produce good food to fuel the good fight. Find out more at vegsoc.org.