Scottish Animal Welfare Commission – Review of Scottish Government activity affecting the welfare of animals, as sentient beings

8. Scottish Government – Animal welfare work in progress

There have been continued discussions with other administrations on possible reforms to animal transport legislation.

The UK AWC working group report on castration and tail docking of lambs, which included consideration of alternatives to the conventional rubber ring method, was published by the Scottish Government in September 2023. There has been further detailed discussion of how to take forward the recommendations with other UK administrations and industry stakeholders

Scottish Government has discussed the UK AWC recommendations on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing with the salmon sector with a view to developing guidance or future legislation. A GB working group has also been established to discuss these with the trout sector.

Updated Scottish pig welfare guidance was issued in November 2023.

Financial support for farmers to undertake specific interventions, to improve cattle and sheep animal health and welfare, continued as part of the Preparing for Sustainable Farming programme Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) (ruralpayments.org)

Work commenced on the review of animal health, welfare and wildlife legislation to be completed by April 2025 as required by the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020.

Research

The Scottish Government Contract Research Fund project, investigating the welfare of cattle and sheep transported by sea from the Northern Isles on monitored journeys in autumn 2023, was completed by SRUC. A report with recommendations for some improvements to current procedures was published in August 2024.