Parties promising to protect animals and environment

Several parties have vowed to do more to help protect the country’s wildlife, domestic pets and livestock. According to some estimates, almost half of species in Scotland have become less abundant in the last decade, with one in nine facing extinction.

Several high-profile environmental bodies have had funding cuts, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services, and Scottish Natural Heritage/ NatureScot, which has seen its budget cut by £33 million in real terms since 2010.

The SNP said it will modernise the Animal Welfare Act and create a new labelling system based on the one used in the EU.

Fergus Mutch, its candidate in Aberdeenshire West, said: “The SNP proposes to adopt the highest possible standards – which would include changing to free range, woodland or barn chicken and egg products.”

He added: “The SNP has also pledged to implement a new EU-style animal welfare labelling system which would promote food produced to higher than EU welfare standards.”

Scottish Labour says its climate recovery plan will include a commitment to strengthen wildlife protection laws and animal welfare, including a ban on fox hunting, snares and the use of electric shock collars.

Party leader Anas Sarwar said Labour will create a Conservation Corps which would employ 10,000 people dedicated to restoring the natural environment, adding: “We have the responsibility to protect and promote the wildlife that lives there.

“Years of cuts from the SNP have left our environment agencies weakened.”

Scottish Green Party candidate Alison Johnstone said: “We have a track record of winning protections for beavers and mountain hares, and getting P&O to end the transport of live calves from Scotland to Europe. One in nine of Scotland’s species are at risk.

“We are in a nature emergency, and restoring Scotland’s nature is one of the pillars of our manifesto.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat Rosemary Bruce, who is standing in the North East list, said they are committed to gaining the highest possible standards when it comes to animal welfare.

The manifesto advocated clamping down on illegal pet imports and maintaining the protection of standards for all animals.

She added: “We will make sure access to wildlife corridors and woodland is available to every community.”

LIVESTOCK IN SPOTLIGHT: Promises to protect farm animals, domestic pets and wildlife were made yesterday.