MSPs answer animal welfare concerns ahead of the Scottish elections

At More for Scotland’s Animals Hustings, an event organised by OneKind and fourteen other animal welfare organisations, party candidates came together on the 14th of April to form a panel to answer questions about animal issues from concerned individuals and campaign groups. 

Photo credit: Gavin Duncan

The panel consisted of:

• Ben Macpherson (SNP)

• Joanna Mowat (Scottish Conservatives)

• Catriona Munro (Scottish Labour)

• Ariane Burgess (Scottish Greens)

• Helen McDade (Reform UK)

The Scottish Liberal Democrats were invited but unfortunately could not attend.

Pictured: Roo Irvine. Photo credit: Gavin Duncan

Led by BBC Bargain Hunt presenter Roo Irvine, the panel engaged in conversation about the following topics:

• Enforcement of legislation;

• Farrowing cages;

• Wild animals as pets;

• How do the parties justify exploiting animals;

• Banning shock collars;

• Imports of meat post-Brexit driving up prices and adequate labelling to show inhumane products;

• Farmed salmon (as well as fish in general) and legal protection regarding sentience;

• Protecting raptors;

• Compulsory microchipping of cats; and

• Firework control zones (which was determined to be an issue for local councils rather than Parliament or Government).

We are contacting the parties’ representatives with our own questions about animal rights, and an update will be given in due course once we receive responses.

In the last session of Parliament, Mark Ruskell MSP’s Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill, which bans the cruel practice from occurring on oval tracks, and Christine Grahame MSP’s Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (2025), which is intended to crack down on puppy farming and encourage responsible care of dogs, were both voted through by Parliament. The salmon farming industry was brought under scrutiny several times for its inability to reach welfare standards, and a petition to end the Guga Hunt became the fourth most signed in the Scottish Parliament’s history. The Scottish public has been invested in many of these issues and has joined campaign groups in calling for an end to various forms of animal cruelty within Scotland.

Photo credit: Gavin Duncan

Both the hustings and recent publication of the parties’ manifestos reflects a growing political awareness of animal welfare issues within Scotland. The Scottish Parliament has a significant role to play within advancing Scotland’s animal welfare standards. Domestic, farmed, and wild animals all deserve protection and a sufficient legal framework in place to allow them to live free from harm caused by humans.

Animals don’t have a voice for themselves, but you can vote on their behalf by making sure that the representative you choose cares about them.

For more information on the Scottish 2026 election, including how to contact parliamentary candidates, view our Holyrood Election Guide for Supporters.