Animal Establishment Licensing Overview and Proposals for Modernisation Presented by: Jessica Hollies Date: 11 May 2016

Regulation of Animal Welfare Strong public expectation for enforcement of animal welfare standards Licensing system enforces primary legislation on a number of animal activities: –Dog breeding –Pet shops –Riding establishments –Animal boarding establishments Animal Welfare Act 2006 provides powers to replace this legislation 2

Challenges Current challenges: –Legislative requirements are outdated –Complex and cumbersome process –Enforcement and consistency –Hidden activity –Other animal establishments – animal sanctuaries, livery stables, mobile zoos – not subject to licensing 3

Our Proposals 1.Single licence for animal welfare activities reflecting up to date welfare requirements Each individual activity will have specific standards but the level of protection will remain the same Will include online and home-based businesses There are lots of similarities between sectors: –One-year licence –Initial inspection –Licensing conditions are similar –Costs recovered through fees –Sanctions are very similar 4

Our Proposals 2. Model Conditions to be given more prominence 5

Our Proposals 3. To prohibit the sale of puppies below eight weeks 4. To change the statutory licensing threshold for dog breeding to: (a) anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs (b) anyone producing three or more litters from their dogs in a 12 month period 5. To require pet sellers to provide written information when selling animals 6

Our Proposals 6. To streamline the current licensing process –Remove the calendar year restriction –Greater risk based assessment and an increase in the maximum licence length (up to 3 years) –Allow licence holders to transfer their licences to new owners –Require licence holders to notify local authorities of any major changes 7

Our Proposals 7. To extent power of inspection to premises where performing animals are kept 8. Additional safeguards added to powers of entry into dwellings 8

Our Proposals 9. To introduce an exemption from licensing requirements for businesses certified by a body accredited by UKAS 9

Potential Improvements Benefits for animal welfare –Modernisation of standards Use of Model Conditions Use of proven accreditation systems Risk based approach –Clarity on who is covered – internet, dog breeding A simpler process for applicants: –Single licence –Rolling system for inspection and renewal –No double regulation for those certified under a UKAS- accredited scheme 10

Our Proposals 1.Single licence for animal welfare activities reflecting up to date welfare requirements 2.Model Conditions to be given more prominence 3.To prohibit the sale of puppies below eight weeks 4.To change the statutory licensing threshold for dog breeding 5.To require pet sellers to provide written information when selling an animal 6.To streamline the current licensing process 7.To extend power of inspection under Performing Animals Act 8.Additional safeguards added to powers of entry into dwellings 9.To introduce an exemption from licensing requirements for businesses affiliated to a body accredited by UKAS 11

Next steps Consultation closed 12 March Working through the responses Summary of responses will be published after the EU referendum Draft regulations subject to the affirmative procedure – likely to be 2017 Revisions to the MCs and any new ones to be developed Introduction of more UKAS-accredited certification schemes 12

Jessica Hollies Companion Animal Welfare Defra 13