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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Introduction to animal welfare

    Topics:
    • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade, 
    • Animal welfare, 
    • Avian Influenza (AI)

    The welfare of animals, including farmed and non-farmed animals, is protected by the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (the 2011 Act).

    What are the benefits of the Act?

    The key benefits of the Act include:

    • a duty of care for all protected animals
    • it allows action to be taken to prevent suffering as opposed to waiting until suffering has occurred
    • it provides robust powers to deal with animal fighting, including dog fights
    • it provides tough fines and penalties for serious animal welfare offences

    The five needs of an animal

    The 2011 Act enshrines the five needs of an animal in law:

    • the need for a suitable environment;
    • the need for a suitable diet;
    • the need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;
    • any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals; and
    • the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

    A person is responsible for ensuring the needs of an animal are met if they own it or have responsibility for its day to day care.

    More useful links

    • Non-farmed animal welfare
    • Farmed animal welfare

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