Kerry McCarthy MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, said:

“Abolishing statutory animal welfare codes flies in the face of common sense and risks a return to dangerous days in Britain when animal welfare standards were lax and food scares were rife.

“This Government has failed to keep the codes updated and now wants to wash its hands entirely of this responsibility. They have encouraged the industry to make its own rules but will only make this new ‘guidance’ public after the existing statutory codes have been scrapped.

“Labour is calling for an urgent debate to hold the Government accountable for this plan which could put animal welfare standards and consumer confidence at risk.”