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MPs urge crackdown on poor breeding practices
There are now more than 400 canine fertility clinics in the UK.
Report calls for new rules to tackle growth of fertility clinics.

A new report by MPs has called on the government to crack down on low welfare puppy and kitten breeding practices.

The report, by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, recommends changes to the law and more support for those enforcing the rules.

It follows a recent growth in the number of fertility clinics that has led to serious concerns about the welfare and health of the animals involved. The number of canine fertility clinics has risen from 37 in 2020 to more than 400 currently and it is estimated that over half of the puppies entering the UK market now come from unlicensed breeders.

In response, the MPs want to see the list of licensed breeders made public and changes to licensing regulations to include breeders of two or more litters a year. The report also calls for cat breeding to be brought under the same legislative safeguards as dog breeding.

The committee has also urged the government to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in order to increase the deterrent for those involved in fertility clinics who perform veterinary surgery illegally. The current legislation allows for a £100 fine, an amount the MPs describe as ‘derisory’.

As well as these changes to the law, the commitee wants to see more support given to those enforcing the legislation, noting that local authorities are often under resourced.

The report also calls for more to be done to tackle practices such as ear cropping, declawing, and cosmetic tail docking.

Chair of the EFRA Committee, Sir Robert Goodwill, said: “We are concerned about the huge rise in the number of canine fertility clinics and the lack of regulatory oversight of these clinics, which may employ unqualified staff to perform veterinary procedures, and which may encourage the breeding of dogs with extreme features and dogs bred for aggressive traits.

“We also urge the government to address the funding and resource needs of local authorities to enforce regulations, to ensure that unscrupulous actors do not become emboldened to think they can act with impunity.”

The report has been welcomed by the RSPCA. David Bowles, the charity’s head of public affairs, said: “In its response to this report, the UK government has an opportunity to make a real difference to animals, prevent suffering, and make it easier for the public to buy animals who have had happy and healthy starts to life.

“Better licensing of breeding, tighter regulations around fertility clinics and tougher enforcement around the importation of cats and dogs cannot come soon enough if we’re going to effectively crackdown on the exploitation of animals for commercial gain.”

The government aims to respond to published select committee reports within two months and has said that it will carefully consider the recommendations.

Image © Shutterstock

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.