Positive response as Michael Gove launches call for evidence on third party puppy sales ban
A ban on third party puppy sales is being explored by the government as part of a package of reforms to drive up animal welfare standards, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced today.
This morning the launch of a call for evidence on a possible ban has been covered positively across the media, including a package on ITV’s Good Morning Britain which featured an interview with animal welfare Minister Lord Gardiner.
The story is covered by the Telegraph, the Sun, the Times, Daily Mail, the Mirror, the Independent and BBC online.
A raft of measures to crack down on unscrupulous puppy breeders set out by the Prime Minister in December have also been laid in Parliament today.
Animal welfare charities and rehoming centres have come out in support of the measures, too.
Among those to voice their support are the RSPCA, Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Mayhew rehoming centre and TV vet Marc Abraham.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
We need to do everything we can to make sure the nation’s much loved pets get the right start in life. From banning the sale of underage puppies to tackling the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders, we are cracking down on sellers who have a total disregard for their dogs’ welfare.
Method of slaughter meat labelling
There is coverage in today’s Times of the possibility to introduce a labelling system for meat from animals which aren’t stunned before slaughter once the UK leaves the EU.
The government believes it is absolutely essential that everyone has the information they need to make an informed choice about the food they eat. Speaking yesterday during a discussion in the House of Lords, animal welfare Minister Lord Gardiner reiterated we will be considering this issue in the context of our departure from the EU.
While it would be possible to consider changes to labelling before we leave the EU, the government has no current plans to change regulations. As ministers have said, this is however something that could be considered after Brexit as part of wider considerations of food labelling.
We would prefer to see all animals stunned before they are slaughtered but accept the right of Jewish and Muslim communities to eat meat killed in accordance with their religious beliefs.