The most significant animal welfare legislation for nearly a century has been published by DEFRA. The Animal Welfare Bill, which applies to England and Wales, was introduced in the House of Commons yesterday and published today.

The Bill will:-

• Reduce animal suffering by enabling preventative action to be taken before suffering occurs.
• Improve animal welfare by introducing a duty on those responsible for animals to do all that is reasonable to endure the welfare of their animals (for the first time for non-farmed animals).
• Simplify animal welfare legislation for enforcers and animal keepers by bringing more than 20 pieces of legislation into one.
• Deter persistent offenders by strengthening penalties and eliminating loopholes. For example, those causing unnecessary suffering to an animal will face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine up to £20,000, or both.
• Extend the power to make secondary legislation and brings current licensing powers into one place.
• Extend to companion animals the use of welfare codes agreed by Parliament, a mechanism currently used to ensure the welfare of farmed animals.

Further information regarding the Bill, the explanatory notes and the Regulatory Impact Assessment can be found at

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/bill/index.htm

IMPLICATIONS FOR WALES

Once this Bill becomes law the subsequent Regulations and Codes of Practice will be devolved to Wales. This mean that the National Assembly for Wales will decide on all secondary legislation with regards this Bill. In practical terms this may include Greyhound Racing, Sanctuaries, Wild Animals in Circuses, Game Rearing and many other areas.