18/12/2025
Deadline Extension For Breeding Regulation Review
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that an expert advisory group tasked with reviewing dog breeding legislation in Northern Ireland has been granted an extension.
The appointments of Professor Gareth Arnott, Susan Cunningham, and Vanessa Barnes have been prolonged to ensure the final review is both considered and exhaustive.
This evaluation represents one of the 10 core priorities outlined in the Minister's Animal Welfare Pathway. The group is currently assessing the efficacy of existing laws to determine if evidence-based amendments are required to improve standards across the sector.
Professor Arnott commented on the progress of the group: "The review of dog breeding regulations is an important piece of work for canine welfare and we, as the group appointed to carry out this task, want to ensure that we are considering every aspect possible, within our remit, including where improvements may be made.
"We have made substantial progress and engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to gather insights on dog breeding practices and existing legislation. However, this has taken longer than anticipated.
"The collected evidence is being thoroughly analysed, and we intend to prepare two distinct reports addressing our designated tasks: the first, focusing on dog breeding regulations, is scheduled for publication in April; the second, concerning the regulation of canine fertility clinics, will be completed by the end of June."
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir expressed his support for the extension, noting the complexity of the subject matter. He said: "I am encouraged by the progress made to date by the expert advisory group on what is a complex but very important issue.
"Animal Welfare is an important focus for my Department. It is vital that we use this opportunity, when there is an expert panel in place, to carry out a thorough review of the existing regulations and identify any deficiencies.
"I will carefully but quickly consider any recommendations made by the panel when their reports are finalised, alongside how any gaps identified can be addressed."
The appointments of Professor Gareth Arnott, Susan Cunningham, and Vanessa Barnes have been prolonged to ensure the final review is both considered and exhaustive.
This evaluation represents one of the 10 core priorities outlined in the Minister's Animal Welfare Pathway. The group is currently assessing the efficacy of existing laws to determine if evidence-based amendments are required to improve standards across the sector.
Professor Arnott commented on the progress of the group: "The review of dog breeding regulations is an important piece of work for canine welfare and we, as the group appointed to carry out this task, want to ensure that we are considering every aspect possible, within our remit, including where improvements may be made.
"The collected evidence is being thoroughly analysed, and we intend to prepare two distinct reports addressing our designated tasks: the first, focusing on dog breeding regulations, is scheduled for publication in April; the second, concerning the regulation of canine fertility clinics, will be completed by the end of June."
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir expressed his support for the extension, noting the complexity of the subject matter. He said: "I am encouraged by the progress made to date by the expert advisory group on what is a complex but very important issue.
"Animal Welfare is an important focus for my Department. It is vital that we use this opportunity, when there is an expert panel in place, to carry out a thorough review of the existing regulations and identify any deficiencies.
"I will carefully but quickly consider any recommendations made by the panel when their reports are finalised, alongside how any gaps identified can be addressed."
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20 September 2012
Farmer's Sheep Stolen While He Was At Father's Deathbed
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Farmer's Sheep Stolen While He Was At Father's Deathbed
About 170 sheep have been stolen while their farmer looked after his dying father. The number of animals and their value of about £17,000 makes the incident one of Northern Ireland's biggest ever livestock thefts. The animals were taken from a farm at Drumcrow Road near Broughshane in County Antrim.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.