The King’s Speech is more than ceremony. It is the government’s public declaration of priorities and a clear signal to Parliament, campaigners, businesses, and the public about what matters enough to shape the legislative agenda for the year ahead. That is why the absence of animal welfare measures from this year’s King’s Speech matters so deeply.
The speech contained a comprehensive overview of the Government’s priorities for the upcoming Parliamentary Session but lacked any measures to advance animal welfare.
On Wednesday, alongside other leading animal protection organisations, CAWF jointly hosted a parliamentary drop-in event to urge the government to stop delaying the implementation of legislation that will ban the promotion and sale in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of cruel and exploitative animal experiences abroad.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) welcomes the Animal Welfare Strategy and its stated priorities, including consultation on phasing out cages in farming, moving away from the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to stun pigs, and introducing standards for the humane killing of farmed fish. The Strategy also proposes measures to address loopholes in the regulation of dog and cat breeding, ban snare traps, and introduce a close season for hares
Today (Tuesday 22nd July) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has expressed disappointment at the passing of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, a new Government Amendment which will allow chickens and turkeys weighing less than 5kg to be routinely caught and handled by their legs.
LONDON, 14th July 2025 Today (Monday 14th July) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has welcomed an Early Day Motion (EDM) led by Adrian Ramsay MP
In June the Government published their response to the ‘Great Britain consultation on poultry catching and handling’ which detailed responses to the consultation and next steps.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is deeply concerned by the animal welfare implications of allowing chickens to be lifted by two legs, given the evidence these animals suffer greatly during such handling. CAWF has long campaigned for the welfare of animals in transport -including catching and handling- to be improved.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted to welcome the new Pet Abduction Act coming into force today, 24th August 2024.
Today (Wednesday 17th July ), the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is disappointed at the absence of any animal welfare measures in the King’s Speech delivered by HM King Charles III to mark the opening of Parliament today.
Today (Friday 24th May) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Remaining Stages in the House of Lords led by Lord Black.
Today 20th May, Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act has received Royal Assent. This means the legislation has been officially signed into law.
Today the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passing its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House of Lords.
This follows the Bill passing its Report Stage on 8th May in the House of Lords and Committee Stage on 14th March, having already passed all of its stages in the House of Commons.
Today (Friday 10th May) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Lords led by Lord Black.
Today (Friday 19th April) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons. This follows the Second Reading which took place on 19th January and Committee Stage on 31st January.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed a Consultation launched in Scotland on banning the use of cages to house laying hens for egg production.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted that John Spellar MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill passed Second Reading in the House of Commons today.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation urges MPs to attend and support the Second Reading of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill led by John Spellar MP on Friday 22nd March. This marks a final opportunity for the Government’s Manifesto commitment to end trophy hunting imports to be delivered.
Today (Friday 15th March) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Selaine Saxby MP’s Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This follows the First Reading which took place on 6th December.
Today (Thursday 14th March) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passing its Committee Stage in the House of Lords.
Yesterday (27th February) evening Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation welcomed the passing of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 through the House of Lords, banning the keeping of primates as pets in England from 2026 unless strict standards have been met.
Today (Wednesday 21st February) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Lords.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is urging Peers from across parties to attend and support the Second Reading of the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill on Wednesday 21st February in the House of Lords.
Today (Friday 2nd February) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons led by former Secretary of State for Defra Dr Thérèse Coffey MP. This follows the First Reading which took place on 11th December 2023.
Today (Wednesday 31st January) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Committee Stage in the House of Commons. This follows the First Reading which took place on 6th December 2023 and the Second Reading which took place on 19th January.
Today (Friday 19th January) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This follows the First Reading which took place on 6th December 2023.
Today (Monday 15th January) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passing its remaining stages in the House of Commons. This included the Committee Stage, Consideration and Third Reading.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is urging MPs from across parties to attend and support the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill on Monday 15th January in the House of Commons.
Today (Monday 18th December) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Second Reading of the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill in the House of Commons, led by Secretary of State Steve Barclay MP. This follows the First Reading which took place on 4th December.