Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26

1 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 Small Country l High Expectations Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 2 Ministerial Foreword 3 Introduction 5 The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework 7 Animal Welfare & the Well-being of Future Generations 8 One Welfare 10 The Role of Veterinarians 11 Our Plan: Implementation & Review 12 Programme for Government Commitments 13 Ongoing, Wales-based Policy Work 16 UK/GB Policy Collaborations 19 Annex Programme for Government Commitments: Actions & Delivery 21 Contents Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 3 Ministerial Foreword We are extremely proud animal welfare features prominently in our recently published Programme for Government1, giving us an opportunity to build on all we have achieved since animal health and welfare powers were devolved to Wales in 2006. Our ambition is for all animals in Wales to have a good quality life. This is a strategic objective of our Animal Health and Welfare Framework and a golden thread woven through our policy agenda. This five-year Animal Welfare Plan for Wales will be complemented by a new Implementation Plan for the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework to be published later this year. The strategies and actions contained in each are integrated and complementary, demonstrating our determination to work in a co-ordinated way. Reflecting this, our proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme will also have animal health and welfare as a central focus, drawing on our collective ambition to further enhance Wales’ reputation as a nation which loves, cares for and respects its animals. Lesley Griffiths Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd. Partnership working is key to the success of our plan. We are grateful for our strong and long-standing relationships with the farming industry, Third Sector organisations, Welsh Local Authorities, enforcement agencies, the veterinary profession, scientific communities and our counterparts in the other UK administrations. Of equal importance, is our direct engagement with the people of Wales, through their correspondence with us, their responses to public consultations or, more fundamentally, through their recognition of the key role they each must play as responsible owners of animals. A fundamental consideration of our plan is to promote education and awareness amongst everyone involved in keeping animals. This will not only help provide a good quality of life for animals in Wales, but also do much to ensure future generations of animal keepers will understand how applying best practice makes a positive difference. Wales may be a small country, but we have high and far-reaching expectations. We warmly invite all agencies, stakeholder groups and the citizens of Wales to embrace and support our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales. 1 Programme for Government 2021 to 2026 | GOV.WALES https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgov.wales%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fpublications%2F2021-06%2Fprogramme-for-government-2021-to-2026.pdf%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520Welsh%2520language%2520is%2520a%2520unique%2520and%2520important%2Calso%2520play%2520our%2520part%2520on%2520the%2520global%2520stage&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236046129%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2BNyE5SbjWgSA4PA2fCKYTsQCrYiRCj1s%2B2Pq2GPkkMg%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 4 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 builds on the progress made in Wales on animal welfare over the last 15 years. During this Government’s term of office, we will introduce a broad range of policies to maintain the momentum of reform in animal welfare established since devolution of the relevant powers. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 5 Introduction Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales includes the realisation of our four Programme for Government commitments in animal welfare, and also outlines how we will integrate a broad range of ongoing animal welfare policy work, including statutory guidance for existing Regulations, licensing of animal exhibits, microchipping of dogs and cats, welfare of animals in transport, and Codes of Practice. The need for review of existing animal welfare legislation is recognised, along with maintaining some flexibility should new policy actions be required. Finally, the plan addresses how, and where appropriate, we will work in collaboration with other UK administrations to achieve our objectives in the best interests of animal welfare in Wales, and beyond. The continuing and transformative impact of the Animal Welfare Act 20062 forms the foundation of our work. For the first time, this legislation enshrined the principle “prevention is better than cure”, setting out the five welfare needs of all kept animals: 2 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45contents > The need for a suitable environment; > The need for a suitable diet; > The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns; > The need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals; > The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fukpga%2F2006%2F45%2Fcrossheading%2Fintroductory%3Fview%3Dextent&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236056070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=80twYzdkyd%2Fd%2FNCDxRKxT3MboCpaIPK7Jz1PzNI67dg%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 6 We believe the protection of public and animal health, and animal welfare are intertwined. Prompt disease detection is crucial to enable timely and appropriate decisions and interventions to protect public and animal health, food safety, animal welfare and the environment. Within a changing and challenging global context, we must redouble our efforts to prevent the incursion of exotic disease, champion animal health planning and biosecurity, control the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and tackle priority endemic diseases through eradication programmes. A transformed international landscape presents us with new challenges and new opportunities. Having left the European Union, the welfare of our farmed animals is increasingly important in trade negotiations. This plan will outline how and where we will work closely with the other UK administrations to ensure existing and forthcoming animal welfare standards and enforcement regimes are effective for the benefit of the animals, the people of Wales, and our environment. Our ambition is for animal welfare in Wales to be recognised for its exemplary standards, its adoption and sharing of best practice, its engagement with key stakeholders, its development of effective, supportive and sustainable mechanisms for enforcement, its contribution to research, and its championing of education and responsible ownership for the benefit of our own and future generations. In pursuit of this ambition, our plan has been informed by and developed in alignment with other landmark policy initiatives, notably the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework3, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 20154 and the principles of One Welfare. 3 Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework (Gov.Wales) 4 Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgov.wales%2Fanimal-health-and-welfare-framework&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236056070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=a1aLvjvfOXLcuElpZNuONZFof7ityiLD8oHSUd0eFRA%3D&reserved=0 https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.futuregenerations.wales%2Fabout-us%2Ffuture-generations-act%2F&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236056070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=MnlXZK67SAOCxgc3Xp1zlZjAKdhykvEqrE4I4cEk6uk%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 7 The aims of our plan are strategically aligned to the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework (Wales AHWF) 2014-24 which seeks to maintain and improve standards of animal health and welfare for kept animals, protect public health, and contribute to the economy and the environment. In realising these goals, the Framework strives to achieve five strategic outcomes: The Wales Animal Health & Welfare Framework Partnership working is central to the success of the Framework. Its approach seeks to increase co-operation and collaboration between Welsh Government, livestock keepers and other animal owners, and industry representatives in order to address the whole spectrum of animal health and welfare issues, and to raise standards. The Wales AHWF Group was established in 2014 to monitor and support the delivery of the Framework’s outcomes and priorities. Its membership serve to challenge new and emerging policy, and perform a representative role as spokespeople on animal health and welfare matters in support of education and behavioural change. To implement and capture the effectiveness of the Framework, the Group publishes Implementation Plans, each of which has responsible ownership and animal welfare as key areas of focus. We will adopt principles championed by the Wales AHWF Group in implementing our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales, including: > working in partnership; > promoting the mantra prevention is better than cure; > understanding and accepting roles and responsibilities; > delivering and enforcing standards effectively. healthy productive animals01 animals have a good quality of life02 a thriving rural economy04 a high quality environment05 public confidence in the way we produce food and protect public health 03 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 8 Animal Welfare & the Well-being of Future Generations The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 focuses on improving social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being. The delivery and implementation of our plan will embrace the principle of sustainable development as outlined in Future Generations legislation, by: > looking to the long term in order not to compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; > taking an integrated approach so stakeholders look at all the well-being goals in deciding on their objectives; > involving a diversity of the population in the decisions which affect them; > working with stakeholders in a collaborative way to find shared sustainable solutions; > understanding the root causes of issues to prevent them from occurring. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 9Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 9 In addition, the seven goals of the Future Generations model are each captured in our plan: A more equal Wales – through the inclusion of a broad cross-section of society in the development and implementation of animal welfare policy in order to achieve maximum impact, reach and ownership; A Wales of cohesive communities – in bringing together communities through shared goals and ambitions in achieving and promoting high standards of animal welfare; A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language – through drawing on the rich and bilingual cultural heritage of Wales as a nation justly famed for its thriving rural economy underpinned by strong principles of animal welfare; A globally responsible Wales – through ensuring, wherever possible, the implementation of high standards of animal welfare in Wales is in alignment with, or sympathetic to best global practice, and to consider how our practice in Wales might be used to make a positive contribution to global well-being. A prosperous Wales – through the enhancement of animal welfare standards, the health, well-being and productivity of animals will be developed in a way which is ethically secure, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial. Support for the training of a knowledgeable and skilled specialist workforce, together with initiatives to enhance the education of the wider population are also key components in realising this goal; A resilient Wales – through the promotion of high standards of animal welfare to support a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems which are ecological resilient and with the capacity to adapt to future challenges; A healthier Wales – through acknowledging high standards of animal welfare both reflect and enhance the well-being and moral standing of the population to the benefit of present and future generations; Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 10 One Welfare Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales resonates strongly with the internationally recognised concept of One Welfare, which sets out the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being and the environment. One Welfare seeks to help improve global standards of both human well-being and animal welfare, promoting key objectives such as supporting food security, reducing human suffering and improving productivity within the farming sector through a better understanding of the value of high welfare standards. One Welfare complements the approach of the One Health agenda used for human, animal and environmental health, and promotes the direct and indirect links between animal welfare, human welfare and environmentally sustainable animal-keeping systems. One Welfare also provides a means to improve animal welfare and human well-being worldwide, both as a basis for expanding opportunities for the farming and science industries, and increasing resilience and security for communities across the world. The five sections of the One Welfare Framework5 reflect both the breath of the concept and its vision based on the fundamental and far reaching significance of animal welfare by focusing on: Connections between animal and human abuse and neglect The social implications of improved animal welfare Animal health and welfare, human well-being, food security and sustainability Assisted interventions involving animals, humans and the environment Biodiversity, the environment, animal welfare and human well-being The wide-ranging ambitions of the Wales AHWF, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the concept of One Welfare are embedded in our Plan. They also, more broadly, underpin much of the work of the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales in terms of animal health and welfare policy development, and the pivotal role in this process of the veterinarian professions. 5 About One Welfare - One Welfare (onewelfareworld.org) https://www.onewelfareworld.org/about.html#:~:text=One%20Welfare%20serves%20to%20highlight%20the%20interconnections%20between,collaboration%20to%20improve%20human%20and%20animal%20welfare%20internationally Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 11 The role of veterinarians Veterinarians (vets) are key enablers in improving the health and welfare of our animals. They fulfil diverse roles in promoting and protecting the health and welfare of companion animals, farmed livestock and exotic animals kept in zoos. Our Official Veterinarians undertake statutory work on behalf of the Welsh Government, for example through their presence in slaughterhouses, ensuring compliance with the regulations which protect animal welfare. They also play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the food we eat, in the import and export of live animals and products of animal origin, and in disease surveillance and control, including the delivery of our TB Eradication Programme. Private veterinary practitioners are influencers of livestock keepers, working to prevent and control disease, for example through livestock animal health planning. They also provide care to protect the health and welfare of our companion animals. Vets play a pivotal function in the development of legislation designed to protect animal welfare. They support enforcement activities, work in partnership with the key delivery agents in Wales, and are closely involved in the approval and licensing of a wide range of animal establishments. In addition, the work of today’s vets is crucial in inspiring the development of future advocates for animal welfare, for example at agriculture colleges in Wales and in the newly established School of Veterinary Science at Aberystwyth University. Finally, vets play a central role in research and development within academia and industry, and pursue invaluable work within wildlife conservation. The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in Wales works closely with all stakeholders, but there is a particularly strong connection with the British Veterinary Association (BVA). Reflecting the approach taken in our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales, the priority plans of the BVA recognise the link between animal health and animal welfare, and the importance of collaborative approaches, as reflected in a recent One Health in Action report6: Perhaps unsurprisingly, ‘health’ goes beyond the absence of disease to also embrace welfare, including mental health, and the reduction of injuries. ‘Animals’ goes beyond livestock to also embrace companion animals and wildlife, and the ‘environment’ can be anywhere animals and people interact — at the core is interdisciplinary collaboration. 6 bva one health in action report nov 2019.pdf http://bva one health in action report nov 2019/ Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 12 Our Plan: Implementation & Review The components of our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales and an outline schedule for their implementation is presented below in three categories: Programme for Government commitments Ongoing, Wales-based policy work UK/GB policy collaborations The Wales AHWF Group will regularly monitor the effectiveness and implementation of the plan and review the schedule of actions and timescales in order to ensure its continuing currency, relevance and impact. Reviews will take place annually, although the Group may advise on revisions at any point in response to changing priorities and circumstances. Timescales for the realisation of the four Programme for Government commitments are provided as an Annex to this plan. Work in the remaining categories will be undertaken and progressed in phases over the period of the plan, in consultation with the Wales AHWF Group (for Ongoing, Wales-based policy work), and by working in partnership with the UK administrations (for UK/GB policy collaborations). Policy contexts and outlines in each category are described below. Cross-connections between activities in categories 2 and 3 and those in the Programme for Government commitments will also be highlighted. The information presented is correct at the point of publication, but may be subject to amendment as processes of development and implementation unfold. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 13 Programme for Government Commitments The Programme for Government containing our four animal welfare commitments was published in 2021. Each commitment is described here, with further details on actions and delivery timelines set out in the Annex to this document. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 14 01 Develop a national model for regulation of animal welfare, introducing registration for animal welfare establishments, commercial breeders for pets or for shooting, and animal exhibits. Work on this far-reaching commitment will unfold from the following definition: A national model for the licensing and regulation of organisations and businesses which focus on kept animals, to ensure consistency of approach, and a robust and consistent delivery of Regulatory requirements across Wales. It is envisaged a national model will: > provide a centralised and standardised administration process for licence applications and a single point of reference for applicants and the public; > ensure greater consistency in support both for businesses and enforcement/regulation agencies; > create a standard model for future legislative developments; > improve resilience across Wales for when individual Local Authorities experience unforeseen incidents which challenge business continuity. 02 Improve the qualifications for animal welfare inspectors to raise their professional status The enforcement and delivery of existing and new legislation is stronger when there is a clear and shared understanding of what is expected and why. Enforcement officers require training delivered in a consistent and coherent manner, and the officers themselves need to be recognised and valued for the fundamental role they play in ensuring the maintenance of high animal welfare standards. Enforcement by the Food Standards Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency is co-ordinated and roles are clearly defined in relation to delivery. There is also much excellent practice within the enforcement services of Local Authorities, although mechanisms and procedures to ensure consistency of approach across the whole of Wales have not always been available. The purpose of a current Welsh Government funded three-year project (described below) is to enhance support for the training of enforcement officers, initially in relation to legislation on dog breeding establishments. We will work with the project team to expand the scheme in support of wider licensing activities involving animals, and the associated professional development of enforcement officers. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 15 03 Require CCTV in all slaughterhouses Our network of slaughterhouses in Wales provides an essential service to farmers, butchers and consumers. It also supports a skilled workforce and many locally-integrated supply chains. There are a number of controls already in place in our slaughterhouses to protect animal welfare, with Official Veterinarians (OVs) in attendance to oversee compliance with regulations. The industry itself has also published extensive guidance on best practice in protecting animal welfare at the time of killing. Our larger slaughterhouses, which process the vast majority of animals, already have CCTV at their premises. They also adhere to a protocol jointly developed and agreed between the Food Standards Agency and industry bodies to enable OVs to access recorded footage. Whilst CCTV cannot replace direct oversight by slaughterhouse management or OVs, particularly in very small premises, it can provide objective supporting evidence of the work in each establishment. For this reason, we will require all slaughterhouses to install and operate CCTV in all areas where live animals are present. 04 Restrict the use of cages for Farmed Animals As part of our commitment to improving standards of farmed animal welfare we are working with the UK and Scottish Governments to examine the evidence around the use of cages in farming, including enriched cages for laying hens, farrowing crates for pigs and breeding cages for gamebirds. Our aim is to have, as far as possible, a consistent approach across Great Britain in the best interests of animal welfare. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 16 Ongoing, Wales-based policy work Statutory Guidance for the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 Statutory Guidance for Local Authority enforcement officers is required to support the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021. This legislation applies to the sale of animals as pets, including a particular emphasis on curbing the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens. Developing statutory Guidance is linked to our first and second Programme for Government commitments in terms of providing clarity for inspection and enforcement processes according to a model which subsequently can be applied across related animal welfare contexts. Actions: > To consider consultation feedback and publish a summary of responses; > To publish the statutory Guidance; > Working in partnership with the Local Authority Enforcement Project, to ensure the training of enforcement officers is delivered in a comprehensive and timely manner. Authority Enforcement Project. It is envisaged any changes to the existing Regulations will be embedded in the overarching Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (Wales) Regulations 2021. Actions: > To consider responses to the Summer 2021 consultation and publish a summary of responses; > To publish the revised statutory Guidance; > To establish a working group of key stakeholders to consider the issue of pen sizes in dog breeding establishments with a view to a further revision(s) to the statutory Guidance; > To consider updates to the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014. Local Authority Enforcement Project (2020-23) This ongoing, Welsh Government funded project (which links to our second Programme for Government commitment) seeks to establish a pan-Wales system for training Local Authority enforcement officers: Actions: > To work directly with the project leads to ensure the scheme meets its annual and overall objectives; > To work with the project team in developing a strategy for the expansion of the project into a pan-Wales scheme for enforcement training. Update statutory Guidance for the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 The statutory Guidance for the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 will be revised, following public consultation(s) to clarify and strengthen key areas relating to enforcement. While our ultimate intention is to update the 2014 Regulations, this will only be considered following outcomes from the Local Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 17 Licensing of Animal Exhibits & Animal Establishments We plan to introduce a licensing requirement in relation to animal exhibits and animal establishments. Linked to our first Programme for Government commitment, and building on work previously undertaken in this area, we will undertake further consultations with an aim to bring forward new requirements possibly under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) (Regulations) 2021. Actions: > To revisit and review previous consultations on animal exhibits undertaken prior to the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) (Regulations) 2021; > To work in partnership with key stakeholders and consult on revised proposals for the licensing of activities involving animals, potentially including mobile animal exhibits, greyhound racing, and animal welfare establishments (including sanctuaries and rescue/ rehoming centres); > To introduce new regulatory requirements potentially by amendment to the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Including Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021, where possible, together with associated statutory Guidance. Microchipping of Dogs and Cats In partnership with the UK and Scottish Governments, we have commissioned research on the effectiveness of existing dog microchipping regulations. The research will also report on the potential benefits of the compulsory microchipping of kittens and cats. It is currently a mandatory requirement for puppies to be microchipped and registered by the time they are eight weeks old. Microchipping improves traceability when animals are lost, stolen or involved in road traffic accidents. Recent research undertaken by Battersea Dogs Home highlighted microchipping works when fully implemented. 94% of microchipped stray dogs were reunited with their owners by Local Authorities. In addition, accurately microchipped dogs were 54% more likely to be reunited with their owners than non-microchipped dogs if they go missing7. Actions: > Based on research outcomes, to consider amendments to improve enforcement and database management; > To consider extending compulsory microchipping to include kittens and cats; > To consult on any proposed amendments to the microchipping regulations; > To consider, dependant upon the outcome of the research and consultation, new microchipping regulations for dogs and cats in Wales. 7 Battersea research reveals how effective microchipping is in helping find lost dogs | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.battersea.org.uk%2Fpet-advice%2Fdog-care-advice%2Fdog-microchipping&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236066025%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=6aq13qrcWYhmr%2Bmlz7mb1voMb8v76joDCuMp9%2BSEdLE%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 18 Codes of Practice Our Codes of Practice are intended to encourage all those who are responsible for animals to adopt the highest standards to meet animal welfare needs. They explain what an animal owner or keeper needs to do to meet the standards of care the law requires. They also support enforcement and prosecutions. A number of our Codes were updated in the term of the last Welsh Government and the remaining ones will be amended and aligned (where possible) with those in place across the other UK administrations to ensure consistency of approach. Actions: > To establish a review cycle for our Codes, with updates scheduled as far as possible to reflect policy developments and legislative changes, including our Programme for Government Commitments; > To revise existing Codes according to the review cycle; > To consider the need for new Codes in areas not currently covered; > To ensure the purpose and detail of the Codes are clear to all stakeholders. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 19 UK/GB Policy Collaboration Animal health and welfare powers are devolved to Wales. However, in certain circumstances there are benefits in working collaboratively with the UK Government. When collaboration is being considered, we ensure there are substantive benefits for Wales and a clear rationale for working in this way. Joint working is only undertaken where it will lead to better co-ordination, training and enforcement of the law. What follows are two examples of ongoing collaboration with the UK Government and other devolved administrations. Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill8 We are working with the UK Government on introducing additional safeguards for animals through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The Bill’s progress is dictated by UK Parliamentary timelines, but it is anticipated it will complete its journey in 2022. The Bill includes a number of proposals in relation to farm and companion animals which will benefit from a joint approach to legislation and enforcement either on a GB or E/W basis. For example, it seeks to address the issue of dogs attacking or worrying livestock by proposing to repeal and replace the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 with a new set of provisions. It also aims to broaden the definition of livestock which are afforded protection and the areas in which the powers apply. It will prohibit the keeping, breeding, sale and transfer of primates without a specific primate licence to ensure these animals are kept to a high welfare standard reflecting their specific welfare needs. The Bill also proposes to amend the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 to increase penalties for non-compliance and provide Local Authorities with better tools for the enforcement of licensing powers to ensure zoo operators comply with proposed new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. A further amendment will enable the Welsh Ministers to specify the standards for conservation requirements. The Bill proposes a prohibition on the export of a range of animals, including live cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, and equines for slaughter, including for fattening for subsequent slaughter. It also contains proposals to change the number of puppies, kittens or ferrets which can be brought in to the country together, as well as new powers to regulate a ban on the importation of puppies and kittens with specific mutilations, such as ear cropping. Actions: > To follow the progress of the Bill whilst preparing for the potential laying of a supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum to allow its provisions to be extended to Wales whilst ensuring safeguards to devolved powers; > To prepare consequential amendments to Welsh legislation which may be required following Royal Assent (for example, in relation to welfare in transport, the PET scheme, dog attacks on livestock, and zoo licensing). 8 Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbills.parliament.uk%2Fbills%2F2880&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236075985%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=6U15UZ%2F4y5myT4aPZ1CxSAQeHmBrrPZAK7jbJ%2BDf%2FAA%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 20 Welfare in Transport It is our view that animals should only be transported when necessary and journey durations should be minimised wherever possible. We have consulted jointly with the UK Government on improvements to farmed animal welfare in transport9. We have also sought views on proposals to improve the conditions of animal transport more generally, including: maximum journey times, temperature conditions and ventilation, headroom height, sea transport and space allowances. We are working with the UK Government and other administrations to consider how the protection of animal welfare during transport can be strengthened. Evidence has shown very long journeys can cause heat stress, dehydration, and physical injuries in transported animals. Actions: > To work with stakeholders and experts – including farming and animal welfare groups – on measures to enhance the welfare of farmed animals during transport. 9 Improvements to Animal Welfare in Transport | GOV.WALES https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgov.wales%2Fimprovements-animal-welfare-transport&data=04%7C01%7CKaren.McClean%40gov.wales%7C459db7c135ce4c60801a08d99ea6f913%7Ca2cc36c592804ae78887d06dab89216b%7C0%7C0%7C637715262236075985%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=TyksrV9edSwrCZVqVSBUaSWpTnDADjOWjTm3xoG48WI%3D&reserved=0 Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 21 Commitments Actions Year 1 2021 2022 Year 2 2022 2023 Year 3 2023 2024 Year 4 2024 2025 Year 5 2025 2026 01 Develop a national model for the regulation of animal welfare, introducing registration for animal welfare establishments, commercial breeders for pets or for shooting and animal exhibits. Working in partnership with enforcement agencies, the LA Enforcement Project and key third sector organisations we will: > collate all existing licensing legislation to gauge where there are gaps > develop a list of proposed new licensing regulations > draft a priority document for further consultation. We will consult on and publish a priority document with timelines and outcomes. We will publish the final priority document as an addendum to this plan. The Local Authority Enforcement Project will: > standardise licensing procedures (as far as possible) for all activities involving animals > update and modernise licensing processes and documentation used by businesses > upskill and strengthen enforcement officers practice and procedures. Working in partnership with the LA Enforcement Project we will: > monitor progress of the project > assess its viability as a national model. Annex: Programme for Government Commitments: Actions & Delivery Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 22 Commitments Actions Year 1 2021 2022 Year 2 2022 2023 Year 3 2023 2024 Year 4 2024 2025 Year 5 2025 2026 02 Improve the qualifications for animal welfare inspectors to raise their professional status We will establish a working group in partnership with APHA, FSA and LAs to scope out the existing qualifications required in each of the enforcement delivery agents. The working group will produce a report on how we can best improve enforcement across Wales and report to the Minister on opportunities or gaps in provision. The working group will establish a plan for improvement in training and qualifications and continue to work in partnership across Wales to share best practice. Working in partnership with key stakeholders we will establish a joint awareness campaign in relation to roles and responsibilities in owning an animal, together with a greater focus on informing the next generation of animal owners. 03 Require CCTV in all slaughterhouses We will work with stakeholders to prepare and consult on draft Regulations which will make it a requirement for approved slaughterhouses to install and operate CCTV in all areas where live animals are present. A requirement for CCTV to be installed in all slaughterhouses in Wales will come in to force. Our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021-26 23 Commitments Actions Year 1 2021 2022 Year 2 2022 2023 Year 3 2023 2024 Year 4 2024 2025 Year 5 2025 2026 04 Restrict the use of cages for farmed animals We will undertake a scoping exercise into the types of cages currently used. We will look at how and where they are used, and to what extent. We will work with the UK and Scottish Governments to consider the welfare impacts of existing and alternative systems. © Crown copyright 2021 WG43951 Digital ISBN: 978-1-80391-301-8 Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh.