Today (Wednesday 13 May 2026), the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has expressed disappointment at the absence of animal welfare measures in the King’s Speech, delivered by HM King Charles III to mark the State Opening of Parliament. The speech contained a comprehensive overview of the Government’s priorities for the upcoming Parliamentary Session but lacked any measures to advance animal welfare. The government’s last Kings Speech excluded animal welfare in 2024 and two years later nothing has changed. It’s a missed opportunity for animal welfare.
Farm animals account for approximately 95% of all animals directly impacted by human activity in the UK and they must be at the forefront of government thinking on animal welfare. Around 85% of animals farmed in the UK are reared in intensive systems, highlighting the scale and significance of the issue.
The previous government made important progress with an ambitious programme to improve farm animal welfare, including a ban on live animal exports and CAWF are calling on the Government to build on this foundation and continue that momentum.
CAWF is urging the Government to take decisive action on key issues, including ending the use of farrowing crate cages for sows, phasing out cages for laying hens, and improving the welfare of farmed fish by ensuring they are afforded protections equivalent to those for terrestrial animals.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, said:
“We are disappointed that the King’s Speech did not include any animal welfare measures. The public rightly expects the Government to lead on issues that matter to people, and animal welfare is undoubtedly one of them. It is essential that mandatory animal welfare labelling is introduced, that the use of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for sows is brought to an end, and that farmed fish receive the protections they deserve. The Government must take action to introduce animal welfare Bills alongside its legislative programme and other Bills.”