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Scotland introduces harsher penalties for animal and wildlife crime
Mountain hares will be reclassified as endangered animals in 2021, which will protect the species from being killed, injured or taken.

Finn's Law also comes into force to protect service animals

The Scottish government has brought new measures into force which increase the maximum available penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences.

The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 – which came into force on 30 November – increases the maximum penalty to five years imprisonment and unlimited fines for the worst cases of animal welfare and wildlife crime.

Courts will be able to use these tougher penalties when convicting those involved in animal fighting, causing unnecessary suffering to animals or committing a wide range of serious offences against wildlife.

The Scottish government has also introduced Finn's Law, which came into force in England last year and is named after a police dog who sustained serious injuries while protecting his handler in 2016.

Rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon said: “We take animal welfare and wildlife crime very seriously, and we are committed to ensuring Scotland’s animals have the best possible protection, including our dedicated service animals.

“The vast majority of people in Scotland treat animals and wildlife with respect and care, however the small minority who don’t will be held accountable with consequences that reflect the severity of their crime.”

According to the Scottish government, future secondary legislation will introduce new, flexible powers to allow for the development of various Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) regimes outside the court system for a broad range of less serious animal health, welfare and wildlife offences.

In 2021, changes to restrict the licensed killing of seals are due to take effect and mountain hares will be reclassified as endangered animals, allowing for better protections.

The Scottish government has also stated that the introduction of new powers to deal with seized animals more quickly will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity in 2021.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.