Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd December 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Government urged to regulate cat breeding
Scottish folds are one of the pedigree cat breeds that can have breed-related health problems.
Report from Animal Welfare Committee calls for new legislation.

The Animal Welfare Committee, which advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish and Welsh governments, has called for new legislation to regulate cat breeding.

The call is included in a new independent report on cat breeding produced by the the committee, which is made up of veterinary and animal welfare experts.

The committee wants to see licensing introduced that explicitly prevents the breeding of cats which suffer from health and welfare problems linked to breed characteristics.

The recommendations also include allowing only registered veterinary surgeons to undertake ultrasound scans of pet cats for pregnancy diagnosis and only after careful consideration has been given to welfare harms, and that all artificial reproductive procedures should be banned from being used in domesticated cats.

The committee’s report has been welcomed by Cats Protection. According to the charity’s Cats And Their Stats report for this year, sales of pedigree cats have overtaken sales of non-pedigree cats for the first time.

The charity is concerned that some genetic mutations in pedigree cats, such as that which causes the folded ears of Scottish fold cats, can also cause significant health and welfare problems. A petition launched by the charity calling for cat breeding to be regulated has attracted more than 50,000 signatures.

Madison Rogers, associate director of advocacy, campaigns and external affairs for Cats Protection, said: “Cats Protection has been calling on the government to urgently introduce regulations to licence cat breeding.

“Following engagement earlier this year with the Animal Welfare Committee, we are delighted to see they have released an independent report recommending that the government regulate cat breeding and ban the breeding of cats with known and harmful extreme traits.”

The full report from the Animal Welfare Committee can be read here.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
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.