The RSPCA has warned that the UK must not sacrifice its “hard gotten gains” on animal welfare as a new bill seeks closer alignment with EU standards, with campaigners calling for clear timelines on the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy.

A European Partnership Bill announced in this year’s King’s Speech promises to cut red tape at the border by aligning UK food, plant and animal health standards more closely with the European Union. But one of Britain’s most prominent animal charities has sounded the alarm: any move towards regulatory alignment must not come at the cost of the welfare protections this country has fought hard to achieve.

The RSPCA says historic advances, including the landmark ban on live animal exports and new legislation targeting puppy smuggling, must be safeguarded as the Government pursues its closer relationship with Europe.

Hard-won victories at stake

In 2024, the UK made history when it banned the live export of farm animals and horses abroad for fattening and slaughter, ending the practice of transporting livestock on gruelling cross-continental journeys in cramped and poor conditions. The same year, legislation was passed banning the import of heavily pregnant or mutilated pets, including puppies, by raising the minimum import age to six months.

These are the kinds of wins the RSPCA fears could be eroded under a broader push for regulatory convergence.

“In recent years, there’s been some real hard gotten gains for animals, including the historic end to the live export of animals, and action against pet smuggling.” – David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA

“Because of those wins, farm animals no longer face being crowded onto trucks and put through the mental exhaustion and stress of journeys across the continent; while many unscrupulous pet traders have been stopped in their tracks.”

“It’s absolutely vital these animal welfare successes are protected as part of any closer regulatory alignment with the European Union announced in the King’s Speech.”

A “carveout” for higher standards

Last year, the UK and EU established a Common Understanding, which the RSPCA hopes will allow the UK to maintain higher animal welfare standards in specific areas through what is known as a “carveout”. This mechanism should also ensure that the UK Government’s future ambitions, including plans to phase out cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs, are allowed to progress.

“We believe the UK’s higher animal welfare standards, like these policies on live exports and puppy smuggling, comply with the agreed Common Understanding.” – David Bowles

The bigger picture: where is the Animal Welfare Strategy?

Yet the RSPCA’s concerns extend well beyond the European Partnership Bill. In December, Ministers published a new Animal Welfare Strategy for England containing a raft of proposals: regulating animal sanctuaries, stopping irresponsible dog breeding, ending the use of cages for many farmed animals, banning trail hunting, ending the use of snares to catch wildlife in England, and modernising the veterinary industry.

None of these pledges are directly contained within this year’s King’s Speech, and the RSPCA has urged decision makers to ensure animal welfare “remains a priority” in the years that follow.

“It’s so important that the UK Government builds on their commitments by publishing clear timelines for delivery; and we also believe an annual debate in Parliament would help review progress and keep the public informed.” – David Bowles

“Moving forward, any European Partnership Bill must make clear that there’ll be no row back for animal welfare.”

More information on the RSPCA’s work with lawmakers is available on the charity’s Political Animal website.