DAERA extends review of dog breeding regulations
Date published:
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has granted an expert advisory group further time to review dog breeding regulations in Northern Ireland.
Professor Gareth Arnott, Susan Cunningham and Vanessa Barnes have had their appointments extended to allow for a fully comprehensive and considered review.
The review is one of the 10 priorities within the Minister’s Animal Welfare Pathway. The aim of the review is to assess whether the current legislation is effective and to make recommendations for change, where evidence indicates that such measures are necessary.
Professor Arnott said: “The review of dog breeding regulations is an important piece of work for canine welfare and we, as the group appointed to carry out this task, want to ensure that we are considering every aspect possible, within our remit, including where improvements may be made.
“We have made substantial progress and engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to gather insights on dog breeding practices and existing legislation. However, this has taken longer than anticipated.
“The collected evidence is being thoroughly analysed, and we intend to prepare two distinct reports addressing our designated tasks: the first, focusing on dog breeding regulations, is scheduled for publication in April; the second, concerning the regulation of canine fertility clinics, will be completed by the end of June.”
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “I am encouraged by the progress made to date by the expert advisory group on what is a complex but very important issue.
“Animal Welfare is an important focus for my Department. It is vital that we use this opportunity, when there is an expert panel in place, to carry out a thorough review of the existing regulations and identify any deficiencies.
“I will carefully but quickly consider any recommendations made by the panel when their reports are finalised, alongside how any gaps identified can be addressed.”
Notes to editors:
- Members were appointed following a recruitment competition and are not public appointments. The Group has an advisory role and does not direct any research expenditure nor holds any statutory responsibilities.
- The tenures of the Expert Advisory Group have been extended and members are remunerated. Members are required to make themselves available for approximately 1 day per week, for both research and meetings. A daily fee of £388 is paid to the Chairperson and Members are paid a daily fee of £252 for attendance at each Expert Advisory Group meeting.
- The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 require that anyone wishing to operate a dog breeding establishment must first obtain a licence from the district council in which the establishment is located.
- Hobby breeders (that is, people who keep only one or two breeding bitches and breeds less than three litters in a year) do not require a licence to keep a dog breeding establishment. Hunt clubs and charities are also not required to obtain a licence to keep a breeding establishment.
- The Minister’s Animal Welfare Pathway is located on the DAERA website.
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