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.
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
Consultation on Welsh Puppy Farm Regulations
Consultation on reforms launched by Environment Minister

The Welsh Government has published draft regulations designed to improve the state of animal welfare in Welsh puppy farms and introduce new controls on dog breeding to prevent unscrupulous practices. A fourteen week consultation period will now begin and all interested parties are invited to provide their views. The beginning of the consultation period was announced today by John Griffiths, Environment Minister for Wales.

The major proposed changes to existing legislation are:

  • A change to the current thresholds so that a person with three breeding bitches on the premises and who breeds three or more litters of puppies on those premises in any 12-month period will need to be licensed.
  • A on selling, so that anybody who has three breeding bitches and who advertises three litters a year for sale or supplies them in any 12-month period will require to be licensed.
  • A minimum staff to dog ratio of attendant to 30 dogs.
  • That stud dogs are now defined to ensure that appropriate record keeping and microchipping measures are taken.
  • That a yearly licence is required for licensed premises.
    
Commenting on the new plans, Mr Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government is committed to raising standards of animal welfare. As part of that agenda, we are determined to deal with unscrupulous dog breeders who tarnish the reputation of those breeders operating in a responsible and proper manner.”
   
The minister also spoke of his interest in introducing legislation that would require all dogs in Wales to be microchipped. The Welsh Government will consult separately on plans for compulsory microchipping next year.
   
The consultation on the draft regulations on dog breeding is open until March 27 and can be accessed here.
 

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

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.