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Northern Ireland extend Welfare of Animals Act consultation
Caged puppies
The closing date for the consultation has been extended due to recent concerns raised in relation to dog breeding.

Review extended over dog breeding concerns

Concerns over dog breeding have prompted the Irish government to extend their consultation on the review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act 2011.

Announcing the extension, a spokesman from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) said: "In 2014 Minister O’Neill and Minister Ford initiated a review of the implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act 2011.

"As a first step in that review process, DARD conducted a series of evidence gathering stakeholder discussion sessions during the summer of 2014. The purpose of this targeted consultation was to take the views of those most closely involved with the issues.

"Stakeholders raised the issue of enforcement of breeding establishments and that issue is being addressed in the review as the Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 are made under this Act.

"Given the recent concerns raised in relation to dog breeding, the closing date for the consultation has been extended to the 21 May 2015 to provide additional time for people to provide their views."

The consultation document can be found on the DARD website. 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.