Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind has welcomed the UK Government’s latest animal welfare commitments to end the use of farrowing crates and CO₂ gas stunning of pigs but is urging the Scottish Government does not fall behind.

The charity is also calling on political parties to prioritise animal welfare ahead of the May 2026 elections.

Kirsty Jenkins, OneKind Director of Policy, said: 

“Scotland has long prided itself on being a nation that cares deeply about animals. As the UK Government moves forward with new welfare improvements, Scotland cannot afford to fall behind.  

“Despite committing to consult on phasing out farrowing crates for mother pigs in its 2021-2022 Programme for Government, four years on the Scottish Government has failed to do so, even though farmers are ready to make this change if well supported. Unlike the UK Government, the Scottish Government has also failed to commit to ending the use of high‑concentration CO₂ gas to stun pigs, a cruel practice widely recognised as causing severe fear and distress for the pigs.” 

“Pigs need an end to these horrific practices, and the public expects leadership not hesitation.” 

Wild animals also stand to benefit from the new animal welfare strategy for England, including via a review of the use of traps such as mole traps and live capture bird traps. This is something that OneKind has long been calling for in Scotland.  

On this, Kirsty said:

“Barbaric mole traps are completely unregulated, and crows in cage traps suffer intensely from the fear and distress caused by sudden confinement. A review of these and other risks is well overdue, and we urge the Scottish Government to make this commitment too.”

The charity is calling on all political parties to put animal welfare at the forefront of their manifestos ahead of the May 2026 elections, warning that failure to act risks leaving Scotland out of step with public expectations and progress elsewhere in the UK. 

Kirsty continues: “Animal welfare is a mainstream political issue, which the people of Scotland care deeply about. Parties that want to earn the trust of Scottish voters must demonstrate clear, credible commitments to improve the lives of animals in Scotland.” 

Notes to Editor 

1. OneKind is a Scottish animal protection charity working to end cruelty to Scotland’s animals. Its work includes campaigning for an end to the use of farrowing crates, CO₂ gas stunning of pigs and a review of the use of traps in Scotland.
2. You can find the UK Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy for England here.