Overview

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill aims to improve the welfare of certain kept animals in Great Britain, focusing on primates, dogs attacking livestock, and the import and export of animals. It introduces stricter regulations, licensing requirements, and penalties for animal welfare offenses.

Description

Primates

The bill introduces a licensing system for keeping primates, setting standards for their care and management. Unlicensed keeping of primates is made an offence, punishable by a fine. The bill also regulates the selling and breeding of primates, prohibiting sales to unlicensed individuals and addressing breeding in unauthorized settings.

Dogs Attacking Livestock

The bill addresses dogs attacking or worrying livestock. It creates a new offence, with penalties including fines and orders for control, destruction, or disqualification from owning dogs. Powers are granted to seize and detain dogs involved in such incidents. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 is repealed in England and Wales.

Other Kept Animals

The bill prohibits the export of certain livestock for slaughter. It also reduces the limit on non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets into Great Britain and provides powers to regulate their importation further. The bill modifies provisions related to taking pets without lawful authority and makes amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly detailed in the provided text. However, it will likely result in increased spending on enforcement and inspections, administration of licensing schemes, and potentially compensation related to seized animals. No specific figures are available from the provided text.

Groups Affected

• Primate keepers: Will be required to obtain licenses and meet specific standards of care, potentially incurring costs. Non-compliance leads to fines or even revocation of licenses.
• Dog owners: Those whose dogs attack or worry livestock face fines and potential orders for control, destruction, or disqualification from owning dogs.
• Livestock farmers: May benefit from increased protection of their animals from dog attacks.
• Animal transporters and importers: Will be subject to new regulations regarding the export and import of certain animals. Increased scrutiny will place administrative burdens and potential costs on them.
• Zoos: The bill amends the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, potentially altering licensing requirements and increasing penalties for non-compliance.
• Local authorities: Will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations, increasing their workload and administrative costs.

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