New Animal Welfare Plan welcomed but concerns remain over badger culling

The call comes as the new Plaid Cymru administration publishes its Programme for Government 2026 - 2030 (22 September).

Key commitments for animals include developing a renewed, science-led Animal Welfare Plan, alongside plans to reform support for agricultural communities and strengthen tenants’ rights in rented accommodation.

David Bowles, the RSPCA's Head Of Campaigns And Public Affairs, said: "We welcome plans for a new Animal Welfare Action Plan, which could pave the way for further improvements for animals of every kind in Wales.

"But we urge the Welsh Government to follow science and evidence to ensure the very best decisions are made for animal welfare across Wales - and that includes no backsliding on Wales' opposition to badger culling..

"In the coming years, we urge the Welsh Government to ensure these plans pave the way for regulating animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centers, and making a clear commitment to undertake a humane approach towards Bovine TB that does not involve the unnecessary killing of badgers."

A renewed Animal Welfare Plan

The Welsh Government has committed to:

• Develop a renewed and science-led Animal Welfare Plan, addressing the welfare of both companion animals and farmed animals

"Any commitment to further improve animal welfare in Wales, including through a refreshed Animal Welfare Plan, is to be welcomed," says David. "We hope this plan will be wide-ranging and include better regulation around animal welfare establishments such as sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centres. This will help protect animal welfare, uphold standards and provide important reassurances to the public. Equipping local authorities with the resources to do the job will also be key.

"We also need to improve standards on dog and cat breeding, bring in parity with England on dog theft, introduce a ban on primates as pets and make cat microchipping mandatory."

• The Programme for Government also commits to supporting Welsh agriculture and evolving the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

"The Sustainable Farming Scheme needs developing – and this must lead to animal welfare benefits for Welsh livestock," says David. "We've long said the Welsh Government's Agriculture (Wales) Act offered a major opportunity to improve farmed animal welfare. Proper incentives for farmers to deliver higher standards will be key to realising that potential.

"This includes tackling the welfare problems faced by fast-growing chickens – so-called Frankenchickens, who suffer because of the way they've been bred and farmed. We look forward to working with the Welsh Government to ensure any farming standards and incentives deliver meaningful improvements in animal welfare, while learning from established and trusted assurance schemes such as RSPCA Assured."

A science-led approach to bovine TB

The Welsh Government has also committed to:

• Introduce a new Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Plan, taking an evidence-based and science-led approach to eradication that incorporates the three pillars of cattle, people and wildlife

"As discussions continue about how the new Welsh Government tackles bovine TB, we're calling for a science-led, cattle-focused approach to combatting this devastating disease," says David. "There's a clear lack of public support for badger culling in Wales and we urge the Welsh Government to look beyond wildlife intervention when there are other options.

"We strongly urge that the approach to tackling devastating bovine TB focuses on cattle-based measures rather than killing badgers unnecessarily. With the relevant Technical Advisory Group currently reviewing evidence in relation to wildlife and bovine TB, it's vital this work is completed before any decisions are made. Any new commitments to animal welfare will be hollow if we see backsliding on Wales' opposition to unnecessary badger culling."

Recent RSPCA polling found that 46 percent of people in Wales categorically oppose badger culling, compared with 27 percent who actively support it. The polling also found that 98 percent of people in Wales consider protecting Welsh wildlife to be important to them, with badgers among the most popular species.

Strengthening tenants’ rights to keep pets

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to:

• Introduce new measures to strengthen the rights of tenants in rented accommodation

"We've long urged decision-makers in Wales to address the current imbalance between the rights of landlords and tenants who rent when it comes to keeping pets," says David. "Action has happened in England and renters in Wales must not be left behind. Doing more to ensure landlords can't unreasonably refuse pets in rented accommodation marks a significant step forward."

In our manifesto for the seventh Senedd – 'Securing a Better Future for Animal Welfare in Wales' – we highlighted how animal welfare can be improved and prioritised by the Welsh Government, Senedd Members and political parties across Wales.

Please see more information about badgers and badgers and the current law.