Profession welcomes DARD Animal Welfare Initiatives
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) have welcomed the publication of draft codes of practice on the welfare of rabbits, horses and primates.
Commenting on these recent initiatives by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), BVA President Carl Padgett said “DARD must be applauded for creating these opportunities to provide detailed guidance on responsible ownership of rabbits and horses as well as the keeping of primates.”
“We are delighted to see Northern Ireland following in the footsteps of Wales by publishing a welfare code for rabbits. The BVA will continue to press Defra to reconsider its decision and publish a similar code for England to help owners understand the health and welfare needs of their pet rabbits, now the UK’s third most popular pet.”
“With an increase in abandoned or welfare-compromised horses - largely due to the recession and overbreeding - comprehensive advice on the owning and caring for horses as set out in the draft code is timely and we hope it will go far in helping owners understand their horse’s welfare needs.”
“Primates are long-lived, intelligent, socially-complex animals and we can think of no circumstances where a primate would benefit from being kept privately as a pet. We do, however, very much welcome the proposed guidance for the keeping of primates in professionally managed centres and for species conservation.”
David Torrens, NIVA President, added “We in the North of Ireland Veterinary Association are delighted to see how quickly DARD is implementing secondary legislation under the Welfare of Animals Act and we look forward to engaging in the consultation on the drafts, together with the BVA.”
“We very much welcome a code of practice for rabbits that will offer sound advice, particularly on the husbandry-related problems that can arise from inappropriate diet, inadequate space for exercise or a lack of companionship for these very social animals.”
“We are pleased that the draft code for primates discusses aspects of natural and untypical behaviour in some detail, as well as addressing practical aspects of primate care.”
“In the current economic climate we particularly support the progress on equine matters and welcome the identification of a responsible body for horse welfare, namely Local District Councils.”
Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.
