Open consultation Consultation on Proposed Animal Welfare Policy Reforms in Northern Ireland

Summary

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to animal welfare policy in Northern Ireland. The primary method for responses is online via Citizen Space.

Documents

• Consultation on Proposed Animal Welfare Policy Reforms in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (974 KB)
• Impact Assessments and Equality & Disability Screening for Regulation of Rescue and Rehoming Organisations Adobe PDF (946 KB)
• Impact Assessments and Equality & Disability Screening for Inflationary Increase in Dog Licence Fees Adobe PDF (791 KB)
• Impact Assessments and Equality & Disability Screening for Ban on Specific Aversive Training Devices Adobe PDF (893 KB)
• Impact Assessments and Equality & Disability Screening for Strengthening Microchipping Requirements for Dogs Adobe PDF (898 KB)
• Written Response Template Adobe PDF (264 KB)

Help viewing documents

Consultation description

The consultation seeks views on proposed changes across four key policy areas:

• the regulation of rescue and rehoming organisations;
• an inflationary increase in dog licence fees;
• a ban on specific aversive training devices; and
• strengthened microchipping requirements for dogs.

Additionally, the consultation includes a call for evidence on the mandatory microchipping of pet cats.

The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest in animal welfare, including stakeholders working within the animal welfare sector; local councils with responsibility for enforcement of companion animal welfare; members of the public; and any individuals or organisations involved in animal rescue and rehoming.