Tougher Animal Welfare Laws Planned For Northern Ireland

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has outlined plans for significant animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland.

Key proposals include introducing a version of Lucy's Law to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of shock collars, and mandating microchipping for cats.

Minister Muir met with representatives from the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG) and the All-Party Group on Animal Welfare to discuss these proposals. He also announced plans to convene an expert group to review dog breeding regulations.

Minister Muir said: "Animal welfare is one of my top priorities and I want to ensure that we focus on the right initiatives and that our resources are focused in the areas most in need of reform.

"I intend to bring forward a suite of secondary legislation to address a wide range of issues including the mandatory microchipping of cats and strengthening microchipping requirements, including making it an offence not to update records, and the prohibition of the use of aversive training devices such as shock collars. "While my department is currently advancing preparations to bring forward a version of Lucy's Law for Northern Ireland, and consult on mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, I was pleased to discuss with stakeholders other anticipated reforms. These include my ambition to commission a comprehensive expert review of dog breeding licensing, which would also consider the need for regulation of canine fertility services."

The Minister continued: "I want an open and ongoing dialogue on these matters. While I want to give an indication of what the priorities will be, the detail of those reforms will be open to public consultation and ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders. I believe that by working together we can ensure efforts are focused on addressing the right issues and collectively, we can go further to achieve the best possible outcomes."

The Minister concluded: "With Christmas approaching, I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone considering buying a pet as a present this Christmas to think carefully before doing so. Once you are sure you can commit to the responsibility of owning a pet, please consider adopting and providing a home to the many animals living in rehoming organisations."