Commenting on the publication of the 2026 Welsh Conservatives Senedd election manifesto, Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru, said: “An alternative approach to the current Sustainable Farming Scheme could provide an opportunity to ensure animal welfare is made more central to a farm payments scheme in Wales.By further incentivising farmers to deliver the highest welfare standards, we can improve the lives of millions of farm animals in Wales, and ensure ‘Brand Cymru’ is synonymous with the highest stands of health, welfare and husbandry.It’s also vital that the next Welsh Government ensures its approach to Bovine TB tackles the devastating disease by focusing on cattle-based measures, and not killing badgers unnecessarily. The publication of the Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group for Wales’ upcoming report will provide additional evidence in tackling the wide-reaching impacts of the disease, which the next Welsh Government must take on board. According to our Animal Kindness Index, Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers – and voters will be eager to hear political parties’ plans for animals of every kind. Ahead of May’s 2026 Senedd election, we encourage all political parties in Wales to outline their plans for animal welfare – including our pets, livestock and wildlife.”
RSPCA Cymru has published its own manifesto ahead of the 2026 vote – and members of the public can let Wales’ political parties know that animal welfare matters to them and take online action to help give animals a voice.
Billie added: “From recognising animal sentience in Welsh law, to making pet abduction a specific offence, and progressing the regulation of animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centres, there’s so much decision-makers can do for animals in the coming years. And we can further improve animal welfare in Wales by granting the RSPCA the powers to get to animals in need more quickly, consolidating wildlife protections into a single law, regulating cat breeding and securing responsible dog ownership and breeding. We can also help ensure Wales’ agricultural communities are renowned for good welfare – by banning the caging of farm animals, prohibiting any non-stun slaughterhouses from operating in Wales and introducing mandatory labelling of foods so consumers have more information than ever before about where their food has come from.”
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