5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs: Companion Animal Welfare

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:09 pm on 19 June 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 5:09, 19 June 2018

Thank you, Joyce Watson, for raising those three points. Around the codes of practice, we have a partnership approach in relation to our codes of practice and how we worked with the animal welfare network group to develop a communications plan to raise awareness of the codes of practice, so I'm very disappointed to hear you say that. So, I think there's a piece of work, certainly, I can do and we can do as Welsh Government, but I'm sure some of our partners will be very happy to help us. But, certainly, we have them on the Welsh Government website. They can be downloaded, they can be available as paper documents, and, also, you can get them on CD-ROM. I know that my officials have worked with stakeholders such as welfare organisations, pet shops, for instance, and veterinary surgeries to make sure that we distribute those codes of practice and raise awareness of them. I know that the RSPCA, in particular, have been very keen to use them as part of their enforcement activity to encourage the improvement of standards where welfare issues have been identified.

Around dog fighting, you're absolutely right: it's a criminal activity. I did have a discussion around dog fighting when I spent some time with the rural crime team up in north Wales, and I'm due to spend a further day with them in August. So, again, I'll raise it. I didn't think it was as widespread as you sort of implied, but I'm very happy to have a further discussion with them around that.

I don't think I've done anything in relation to tropical fish, so if the Member doesn't mind, I'll have a discussion with my officials and I'll drop you a note in relation to that.