Charity says Welsh voters care deeply about animals as parties outline policies ahead of Senedd election

THE RSPCA has responded to the launch of Reform UK Wales’ manifesto for the 2026 Senedd election, welcoming some proposals while urging politicians to base animal welfare policies on scientific evidence.

The charity said Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation and warned that voters will be closely watching political parties’ commitments to protecting animals.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru, said that proposals to introduce clearer food labelling could help consumers better understand how animal products are produced.

“Wales’ consumers deserve more information about where the food they eat comes from and how it has been produced,” she said.

“Moves to introduce mandatory labelling, including for slaughter methods, are a positive step forward for consumer knowledge and could give the public more information about how any animal products on their plates were made.”

However, the RSPCA cautioned that policies relating to bovine tuberculosis must be based on evidence rather than focusing on wildlife culling.

“Taking an evidence-led approach to tackling bovine TB is always to be welcomed,” Thomas said.

“But the evidence indicates that the Welsh Government needs to combat this devastating disease by focusing on cattle-based measures, and not killing badgers unnecessarily.”

The issue of bovine TB and badger culling has long been controversial in Wales, with farmers, wildlife groups and politicians divided over how best to control the disease.

The RSPCA said the forthcoming report from the Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group for Wales would provide additional evidence to guide the next Welsh Government.

The charity also warned that any reform of environmental regulation must not weaken wildlife protections.

“Reviewing legislation and regulation is an opportunity to ensure it is as effective as possible,” Thomas said.

“But any changes to general licences must not be a back door to weakening protections for many of our species in Wales.”

Looking ahead to the election campaign, the organisation said animal welfare should be a key issue for voters and politicians alike.

“According to our Animal Kindness Index, Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation,” Thomas added.

“Voters will be eager to hear political parties’ plans for animals of every kind.”

The RSPCA has published its own manifesto ahead of the election, calling for measures including recognising animal sentience in Welsh law, making pet abduction a specific criminal offence and introducing stronger regulation of animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres.

The charity is also calling for improvements in farm animal welfare, including a ban on the caging of farm animals and incentives for farmers who adopt higher welfare standards.

With the Senedd election scheduled for May 2026, campaign groups say animal welfare policies are likely to form part of the debate as parties seek to win over voters across Wales.

Campaigners say Reform policies could risk future investment in Haven energy projects

A WEST WALES climate campaign group has urged voters in Milford Haven and Hakin to consider the future of green energy jobs before casting their ballots in the upcoming local election on Monday (Mar 17).

The intervention from the West Wales Climate Coalition (WWCC), which describes itself as a network of environmental and social justice organisations operating across the region, comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of the vote.

In a statement issued this week, the group warned that electing councillors opposed to green transition policies could undermine investment linked to the emerging Celtic Freeport and floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.

The coalition previously organised a petition in September 2025 questioning the work of a Pembrokeshire County Council review group examining the authority’s Net Zero strategy.

Following the petition, a representative of the group addressed a full council meeting on Wednesday (Oct 9), where councillors were urged not to abandon climate planning commitments.

During that meeting, Cllr Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for the Well-being of Future Generations, said Pembrokeshire “does not want to be left behind” when it comes to supporting green transition policies.

The issue has become closely linked to the future of the Celtic Freeport centred on Milford Haven, where major port upgrades and new manufacturing facilities are expected to support the rollout of floating offshore wind (FLOW) technology in the Celtic Sea.

Supporters say the projects could bring significant investment and new skilled jobs to the Haven Waterway.

The UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a key location for funding to develop port infrastructure and train workers needed to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

However, the WWCC claims that policies proposed by Reform UK in Wales could slow or reverse progress towards renewable energy development.

The group argues that voters should consider how the election result could affect long-term investment and employment opportunities linked to the green energy sector.

In its statement, the coalition said Milford Haven is “in an enviable position” to benefit from investment associated with the green transition, but warned that failing to continue preparing for the shift to low-carbon energy could see jobs and infrastructure projects move elsewhere.

The Milford & Hakin ward election will take place on Monday (Mar 17).

New fund would expand toy libraries and automatically register babies for library cards

EVERY child in Wales will have an equal right to read and play, regardless of their background, under plans announced by Welsh Labour today.

The party says that if it is re-elected in the next Senedd term, it will introduce a new programme aimed at improving access to books and toys for families across the country.

The proposals include automatic registration for a library card for every child in Wales when a baby’s birth is registered, the creation of a nationwide network of 100 toy libraries, and a new Children’s Reading and Play Fund. The fund would help pay for toys and increase the number of children’s books available in both public and school libraries.

Welsh Labour says the measures are designed to ensure that children from all backgrounds have access to resources that support learning, creativity and early development.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said the plans would help ensure no child misses out on opportunities because of their family’s financial circumstances.

“Every child in Wales should have access to books and toys, regardless of their background. No child should have to go without because their family can’t afford them,” she said.

“Books and toys are a vital part of growing up. The new Children’s Reading and Play Fund would ensure this is a right for every child in Wales and help reduce costs for families.”

Toy libraries operate in a similar way to traditional libraries, allowing families to borrow toys and return them after use. While some toy libraries already exist in parts of Wales, access is currently patchy.

Welsh Labour says its proposal would establish a national network of 100 toy libraries to ensure a more consistent offer across the country. Under the plan, the libraries would work together and receive national support and promotion.

The party argues that improving access to books and play materials can help support early literacy, learning and social development for young children while easing financial pressure on families.

Further details about the proposed Children’s Reading and Play Fund are expected to be set out as part of Welsh Labour’s programme for the next Senedd term.