There is no place in this country for animal cruelty, but unfortunately animals are still sometimes mistreated. I am therefore pleased that the Government has put together a package of measures which will protect animals in our homes, in agriculture, and in the wild. These measures include a proposal to limit the distance animals can be moved for slaughter.
A consultation will be issued in due course on restricting live animal journeys, requiring approval for longer journeys and bringing forward welfare conditions for these journeys when they are necessary.
This consultation follows a call for evidence in 2018 on improving animal welfare in transport and controlling live animal exports. The call for evidence lasted six weeks and sought views from across industry, charities and the general public on how the Government might raise standards of animal welfare during transport. It also follows on from expert advice from the Farm Animal Welfare Committee.
This consultation will be a further step in taking forward our manifesto commitment to end excessively long journeys for slaughter and I hope you will be able to take part in the consultation once it has opened.
More broadly, the Government is committed to further strengthening the UK's world-leading animal welfare standards. Ministers will bring in new laws on animal sentience, as well as on banning the keeping of primates as pets. The Government will also be increasing maximum sentences for animal cruelty, which is being taken forward as a Private Members Bill.
