Reuters reports that the government said it would strengthen standards as it gains greater powers since leaving the European Union and will introduce the new “Animal Sentience Bill” to parliament on 13 May.

Other measures include the compulsory microchipping of cats, tackling puppy smuggling and establishing a taskforce to crack down on theft as the pandemic saw thieves steal pets to extract money as some locked-down Britons sought animal companionship.

Additional proposals include looking into a ban on the importing of hunting trophies from endangered animals, ending the import and export of detached shark fins and boosting the welfare of farm animals as they are transported.

Measures to protect farm animals include:

• ending the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter
• introducing new measures to improve welfare during transport
• giving the police more powers to protect farm animals from dangerous or out of control dogs
• examining the use of cages for poultry and farrowing crates for pigs
• improving animal welfare at slaughter incentivising farmers to improve animal health and welfare through future farming policy

"We are a nation of animal lovers and were the first country in the world to pass animal welfare laws," said environment minister George Eustice.

"As an independent nation we are now able to go further than ever to build on our excellent track record."

Click here to read the full Action Plan for Animal Welfare.