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The Animal Law Foundation

Building a better legal framework for animals

18/08/2026

We’re delighted that comedian Alice Etches believes in the power of animal law.

Animal law matters because the law is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect animals and to hold those responsible for their welfare to account.

Thank you, Alice, for supporting the work of The Animal Law Foundation and for recognising that animals deserve the protection of the law, too. 🐾

14/08/2026

There is a significant judgment for chicken welfare in the Netherlands. The highest administrative court has made it clear that companies cannot pick chickens up by the legs, who were relying on a proposed future EU dilution to the rules, and that weak enforcement elsewhere in Europe is no excuse for failing to enforce binding EU law.

It also rejected claims that alternative catching methods were impractical, and increased the maximum penalty for non-compliance from €15,000 to €60,000, giving the industry until 1 January 2027 to comply.

A useful reminder: animal welfare rules only work if they are properly enforced. Well done Wakker Dier for bringing this important case.

11/08/2026

When up against significant challenges, we lose sight of all the victories that have already been achieved for animals.

Animal protection organisations, lawyers, politicians and advocates are making a real difference for animals under the law – from establishing that animal welfare is a relevant consideration in planning law, to securing a ruling that farming animals whose genetics cause them to suffer is unlawful regardless of profitability; from banning live exports, live boiling and hunting mammals with dogs – and much more.

You can see some of those victories in our video, with contributions from some incredible animal champions:

rising

MP
MP

07/08/2026

Last week, we gathered to celebrate the remarkable victories and progress made for animals under the law – and to say thank you to everyone whose hard work made it possible.

Great company, good music, and a lot to look forward to.

Thank you Acland Bryant and Wendy Turner Webster for your excellent speeches.

05/08/2026

Our recent Wales crustacean win has made headlines, with coverage from Nation.Cymru, The Pembrokeshire Herald and The Fishing Daily.

In its response to our letter, the Welsh Government confirmed its position aligns with DEFRA's – boiling decapod crustaceans alive is unacceptable under current Welsh law.

Read the full articles: https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/144755/welsh-government-backs-lobster-review-but-stops-short-of-live-boiling-ban/ ; https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-government-considers-legislation-to-prevent-lobsters-being-boiled-alive/ ; https://thefishingdaily.com/uk-fishing-industry-news-news/wales-to-end-boiling-lobsters-alive-after-ngo-pressure/

03/08/2026

We're delighted to share a major win!

The Welsh Government has responded to our letter and confirmed it stands with DEFRA: boiling decapod crustaceans alive is unacceptable under current Welsh law. Wales will now work alongside DEFRA to develop welfare at the time of killing guidance.

Thank you to everyone who signed our letter.

Learn more about our work: https://animallawfoundation.org/crustaceans-patok

31/07/2026

Last night, The Animal Law Foundation had the great pleasure of bringing together organisations, lawyers, and advocates who work hard to improve animal protection and celebrate the progress made for animals under the law.

Thank you to all who joined us – we return to work with renewed energy.

Scroll through to see some highlights from the evening.

29/07/2026

Meet Shreya, a law student from King's College London, sharing her perspective on animal protection law.

Hear her thoughts on why enforcing animal welfare laws matters just as much as having them in the first place – and how strongly the law should reflect how much people value animal welfare.

Learn more about our work: https://animallawfoundation.org/

27/07/2026

Our letter to the Northern Irish government has been covered by The Irish News, The Fishing Daily, and Irish Legal News.

The letter – signed by 17 animal protection organisations – calls on the Northern Irish Executive to acknowledge that boiling lobsters and crabs alive is incompatible with existing Northern Irish law, and to publish official guidance for industry and regulators.

Read the full articles:

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/call-for-law-on-boiling-lobsters-alive-in-northern-ireland-to-be-clarified-amid-warning-inhumane-practise-already-illegal-JU6GKBZ4KBHSZBVBK2SYCGLCEU/
https://thefishingdaily.com/ni-fishing-industry-news/northern-ireland-urged-to-clarify-ban-on-boiling-lobsters-alive/ https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/northern-ireland-animal-charity-seeks-confirmation-live-boiling-of-lobsters-breaches-law

23/07/2026

We argue that boiling lobsters and crabs alive is illegal in Northern Ireland, under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014.

We are urging the Northern Irish government to formally state this and issue clear guidance for the industry and regulators.

It is time this cruel practice ends.

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The House Of Commons
London
SW1 0AA

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http://animallawfoundation.org/

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