On April 19, as part of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Inquiry on animal welfare, The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) told MPs that the Animal Welfare Act 2006, while an excellent umbrella piece of legislation, can be difficult to enforce.
The organisations have called for more resources to assist charities and local authorities as well as the introduction of secondary legislation to make clear responsibilities.
Heather Bacon from BVA’s Ethics and Welfare Group, BSAVA Vice President John Chitty and Bill Lambert, the Kennel Club’s Health and Breeder Services Manager, answered questions from Neil Parish, Efra Committee Chair, and other members of the Efra Committee.
BVA and BSAVA felt that the Animal Welfare Act is intentionally generic and there is a need for guidance, codes of practice and secondary legislation – as promised when it was passed ten years ago – in order to help deliver effective enforcement decisions and identify unnecessary suffering.
More more information on the Efra Inquiry click here.
