Animal Welfare Bill becomes law

The British Pet Care Trust has welcomed the passing into law of the Animal Welfare Bill, described by the Government as “the most important piece of animal welfare legislation for nearly a century.” The Bill has received Royal Assent and will become law on 6 April 2007. “We are pleased the Bill has been approved and will pass into law next April, as it enshrines in law the standards that good pet care businesses and pet owners are already working to on a daily basis,” said Janet Nunn, the Trust’s Chief Executive. “This common informers’ act is unique in its reach, as it will apply not only to every relevant business, but to each of the 25.9 million households that own a pet in our country.” The Trust still has concerns over the extra burden of record keeping the Bill will impose on the 20 million pet owning households and 10,000 pet care micro-businesses. The current six month period for bringing a prosecution will be extended to three years for any breach of the new duty of care. Conservative MPs have flagged their concern that the first codes set out for pet owners to follow are unduly prescriptive as they currently stand. The Trust is now looking forward to engaging on secondary legislation and codes of practice on behalf of Britain’s pet care businesses and pet owners.