Cambridge MP leads calls for more animal-friendly farming

Speaking in Parliament, Shadow Environment Minister Daniel Zeichner, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, has called on the government to move swiftly to improve conditions for farmed animals that are too often still kept in cages.

chicken

Hundreds of Cambridge constituents have signed a national petition organised by Compassion in World Farming, urging an end to the ’cage age’. Mr Zeichner met campaigners in Westminster last week and pledged his support to help make the transition to more humane systems. 

During the debate Mr Zeichner highlighted the suffering endured by the many hens, pigs and calves still housed in cages on British farms. He noted plans announced by the European Union to end cages by 2027 and urged the Government not to allow Britain to fall behind: 

“Cambridge residents care passionately about animal welfare, and contact me frequently with their concerns. Over the years, legislation has made a big difference, and we now have many more free-range birds, and sow stalls were banned over twenty years ago. But there is still much more to do. I do not want to see us falling behind the EU - we should be matching their ambition, and making plans accordingly. Farmers have had a tough time recently, particularly in the pig sector, which is why a clear plan for the future is needed. Sadly, the Government is so weak and divided that it cannot give the leadership needed. There is widespread agreement that change is coming - we need to make it happen.” 

  

 



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