The Labour Party has unveiled a comprehensive Animal Welfare Manifesto, which includes plans to recognise lobsters as animals and prohibit boiling them alive. The manifesto, launched on Wednesday, proposes a series of major reforms to strengthen animal protections in the UK.
Among the 50-point plan are measures to ban trophy hunting imports, end animal testing, and phase out cages on farms by 2025. The party also aims to tackle puppy smuggling, ban foie gras imports, and extend animal cruelty laws to cover wild animals.
Shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said the proposals, developed through consultation with members and animal rights organisations, aim to bring British animal welfare policy into the 21st century. She emphasised Labour's commitment to ensuring the UK has animal rights protections equal to or better than anywhere in the world.
The manifesto also includes plans to appoint an animal welfare commissioner to oversee welfare standards in new legislation and post-Brexit trade deals. Additionally, Labour would review the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 with a long-term goal of phasing out animal testing entirely.
TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham has endorsed the plans, highlighting measures such as a National Wildlife Crime Strategy and making illegal hunting a reportable offence. The Conservative government has banned ivory sales but has not yet prohibited trophy hunting imports.
