The Senedd election in May saw Hedges’ Labour lose power in Wales for the first time since the country got its own parliament in 1999, with Plaid Cymru becoming its largest party and taking over the running of the Welsh government.

On Tuesday, Hedges – now Welsh Labour’s culture spokesperson – used a question to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to ask what actions the government was taking to improve animal welfare.

After ap Iorwerth said it would “develop a science-led animal health and welfare plan” for the country, Hedges said it reflected badly on society if “we allow animals to be mistreated, either by ignorance or cruelty”.

Hedges suggested several reforms, including microchipping cats, and bans on tethering horses, owning primates, cage breeding of game birds, and ending the use of Larsen traps – spring-door wire cages used to catch birds like magpies and crows.

He added that Wales should allow “rabbit ownership only after a short training course where individuals can show they understand the needs of rabbits”.