The RSPCA said that new government announcements around animal welfare are “positive steps in the right direction”.

The four key legislations announcements are:

• A consultation on compulsory microchipping for cats;
• Ban the practice of primates kept as pets;
• An end to long-distance live transport; and
• A ban on the import and export of animals hunted as trophies.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “We welcome the announcement on four important issues of animal welfare. In particular, we’ve campaigned to end live exports for over 30 years due to the misery it brings to animals enduring long and stressful journeys.

“As we prepare to leave the European Union, we’ve been calling on the Government to ensure that animal welfare standards are maintained and improved and we’re pleased that the Government appears to be starting to deliver on this by putting better welfare at the heart of its agenda.”