WELFARE

Some Progress

On this launch day for the Concerns for Sheep website, looking at recent activity in relation to the welfare of sheep, what can be seen that is helpful and encouraging?

On 22nd December 2025 the Animal Welfare Strategy for England was announced, with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stating, ‘Our aspiration is to move towards a model where as many farmed animals as possible experience a good life and not just a life worth living.’ (DEFRA Policy Paper ‘Animal Welfare Strategy for England’, 22 December 2022). The subject areas that the Strategy addresses of particular relevance for sheep are: climate change; transportation. 

A few days earlier, on 18th December, Royal Assent was given in the UK to The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 which has the aim to ‘strengthen protection for livestock’ (DEFRA blog Farming ‘Law changes strengthen protection for livestock’, 18 December 2025). On 18th March 2026 the Act will come into force.   

And, following advice from the - independent of DEFRA - Animal Welfare Committee (AWC), DEFRA is currently conducting a ‘Consultation on proposed changes to castration and tail docking methods’ on lambs. Giving lambs pain relief during the procedures are the proposals. 

12th February 2026