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Animal Welfare Bill

I shall speak to our Amendments Nos. 71 and 73, which are grouped with Amendment No. 70. Amendment No. 71 is a probing amendment to ensure that the appropriate levels of welfare are maintained in kennels and catteries by setting recognisable standards. Currently, managers of licensed boarding kennels and catteries do not have to show competence through experience or qualification. In 2005, the Pet Care Trust conducted a survey of every kennel and cattery in the country. Of those who responded, 90 per cent of owners were in favour of demonstrating competence. Currently, pet shops need to demonstrate the competence of the licensee through the relevant experience, formal qualification or proof of working towards a qualification. Are there any plans to ensure that kennels and catteries are required to conform to the same standards as pet shops? Amendment No. 73 deals with licences. We are concerned about the Government’s preoccupation with increasing taxing of enterprises through petty controls. Country music enthusiasts have been told that they need licences to perform in their local pubs. People opening their homes for fundraising events may have to obtain a licence if they wish to provide live entertainment. Are the Government laying the foundations for regulating the village pet show or the church’s pet blessing service? Will they extend their remit to cover the annual photographic competition run by a local newspaper to find the cutest or funniest pet animal? If the amendment is accepted, it will still be possible for fete organisers to run a best behaved pet competition and for the local church to bless companion animals without filling in forms and handing over fees. It will also mean that council officers will have less to do in enforcing regulations.