We are a nation of animal lovers and the Government is absolutely committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, building on those that we have and enhancing them further.

We have proposed to increase sentencing for animal cruelty and to introduce CCTV in all slaughterhouses, and I have set this out as a manifesto commitment. If re-elected, we will consult widely on our proposals before bringing forward detailed policy to make CCTV mandatory in all slaughterhouses as soon as possible.

There is clear and overwhelming public support for this policy, and I look forward to bringing it forward.