League manifesto roundup

This general election is the most important one for animal welfare in a generation. It’s our chance to influence the direction and priorities of the next UK Government and deliver lasting change to improve the lives of animals. Below is a summary and analysis of the animal welfare offerings of parties to help ensure that our supporters are best armed to make an informed decision on polling day. 

Conservative Party Manifesto 

The Conservative Party’s manifesto commits to not making any changes to the Hunting Act should they form the next government. This is unchanged from their 2019 manifesto. This pledge again fails to recognise the mounting evidence in favour of strengthening the law on hunting, or the popularity of such a pledge among voters. 

However, their manifesto pledges to ban the import of hunting trophies, tackle puppy smuggling and reintroduce the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill on livestock worrying.  

The full manifesto can be found here. 

Labour Party Manifesto 

The Labour Party has, in its manifesto, committed to  banning trail hunting in recognition of its use as a smokescreen for illegal hunting. They have also, in a recent announcement reported by national media, expanded on the manifesto pledge and committed to further strengthen the law on hunting. 

Labour’s manifesto also included pledges to ban the use of snares and the importing of hunting trophies. Labour has committed to ending puppy smuggling and working towards the phasing out of animal testing. They have also stated their intention to work with scientists and farmers to develop a bovine tuberculosis strategy that enables them to end the ineffective and cruel badger cull. 

The full manifesto can be found here. 

Liberal Democrat Manifesto 

The Liberal Democrats’ manifesto did not mention hunting with dogs. This omission is glaring given the widespread support strengthening the Hunting Act enjoys among the voting public. 

However, the manifesto also pledges to ban the routine burning of heather on peatlands, a practice regularly used by grouse moor estates, and includes promises of a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill to promote the highest standards of animal welfare, a ban on the sale of foie gras, work towards the development of a bovine tuberculosis (bTB) vaccine and a humane and evidence-based methods of controlling the disease.  

The full manifesto can be found here. 

Reform Manifesto 

Reform UK have pledged to protect country sports in their manifesto. This is a disappointing and ambiguous pledge, it is unclear if this would lead to the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. 

Reform UK have otherwise failed to address any animal welfare concerns, and do no mention the word animal in their manifesto. 

The full manifesto can be found here. 

Green Party Manifesto 

The Green Party’s manifesto pledges to ban all blood sports including trail hunting. This would result in a strengthened ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales and an end to sport shooting in England. 

Additionally, their manifesto includes pledges to end the badger cull, ban the use of cages for farmed animals, end factory farming and create of a new commission on animal protection. 

The full manifesto can be found here. 

Party Manifestos in the Devolved Nations 

In most instances, animal welfare is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. This means they are in charge of their own laws on hunting but still have a say on animal welfare laws set by Westminster. An exception to this is Wales which does not have its own powers to ban hunting, with the law set by the Hunting Act which covers both England and Wales. 

Wales

Animal Welfare policy, with the exception of hunting with dogs, is devolved to the Welsh Parliament.

Plaid Cymru has not mentioned hunting in their manifesto. However, the party has committed to bringing back legislation to combat livestock worrying and a “broader approach to tackling bovine TB which includes controlling the disease in wildlife”. The Welsh Government does not currently allow badger culling in Wales.

Their full manifesto can be found here.

Scotland

Animal Welfare including hunting policy is devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

The SNP manifesto does not mention hunting in their manifesto or include an animal welfare section for the General Election as this is an issue that is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The full manifesto can be found here.

The Alba manifesto does not mention hunting in their manifesto or include an animal welfare section for the General Election as this is an issue that is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The full manifesto can be found here.

The Scottish Government passed a strengthened hunting law in 2023.

Northern Ireland

Animal Welfare including hunting policy is devolved to the Northern Irish Assembly.

The Sinn Fein manifesto does not mention hunting or animal welfare. The full manifesto can be found here.

The DUP manifesto does not mention hunting. They do pledge to bring back the Kept Animals Bill to tackle puppy smuggling and livestock worrying and promote a new approach to tackle attacks by dogs. The full manifesto can be found here.

The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland manifesto has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to extending the ban on hunting to Northern Ireland. They have also committed to using the UK’s influence to end trophy hunting and the trade of illegal animal products globally. The full manifesto can be found here.

The UUP manifesto makes no mention of hunting or animal welfare. The full manifesto can be found here.

The SDLP have not mentioned hunting in their manifesto. They have pledged to implement an all island animal cruelty register. You can read the full manifesto here.