The commercial market in kittens differs slightly to puppies. The vast majority of third-party sales of kittens occur from physical high-street pet shops. Cat breeding, unlike dog breeding, is not regulated, and pet shops can be an inappropriate environment for kittens. Young kittens sold in pet shops are not always provided with adequate space, an appropriate environment or pen design, a comfortable temperature, or receive the necessary veterinary care and enrichment.

Like nearly every other aspect of modern life, the internet has in many ways fuelled this horrific trade, and has become the shop window of choice for advertising of young pets to be rehomed to potential owners. In 2017 alone, nearly 35,000 adverts for dogs and cats were posted, therefore unlicensed and therefore uninspected traders can sell puppies, kittens and other animals without any checks. The Lucy's law campaign has vigorously lobbied politicians of all colours for the implementation of a ban, and its aims go some way to eliminating a market that depends and is sustained on puppy farms right across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Such a ban would help to eliminate the inevitable physical and psychological damage caused by selling puppies and kittens hundreds of miles away from the place of birth. A ban on commercial third-party sales would amount to a legal requirement that only breeders would be able to sell puppies in the course of a business. It would of course not impact on non-commercial activities, including the rehoming of puppies and kittens through charities and sanctuaries, as they are not done for profit. Nothing would change there.

And, as a Conservative, I was of course delighted to see the UK Government lead the way on this, firstly back in February with its initial call for evidence, and secondly in August, when Michael Gove announced a consultation on the proposed banning of the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens. Obviously, with animal welfare devolved as a responsibility to this institution, this announcement only related to England, and it is vital that Wales follows suit. I was therefore pleased to hear the Cabinet Secretary commit a couple of weeks ago to the launch of a similar consultation. This was a welcome move and it is imperative that we now follow this through, because animal welfare is one of those issues that continually rears its head in Members' postbags. Indeed, there's barely a period in the year where some significant issue regarding animal welfare isn't captured by the public's imagination, and, as an institution, we are now in a place where we can act upon those concerns and tackle them through the implementation of legislation.

The Assembly, and, in turn, the Welsh Government, now enjoys a vast array of responsibilities and powers in regard to legislation and regulation in this particular field, and particularly when you compare it to where we were some 20 years ago. As an Assembly, and as a Government, it is imperative Wales capitalises and uses these levers efficiently, proactively and imaginatively to ensure our reputation as an animal-friendly nation is protected. Because let's be honest—there is a problem with activities such as puppy farming here in Wales. Indeed, a ban on such grotesque activity makes perfect sense from an animal protection point of view, and would be a stark improvement on the current situation, with far more people and groups able to enforce a ban—not just local authorities, but also the RSPCA and the police. The enforcement of a ban is backed by numerous animal groups, such as the Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, and should prove far easier and far cheaper than a licensing system that is strangled with bureaucracy and a lack of resource.

Opponents of this course of action often cite that this ban would force the trade to go underground, but I have to say that is folly. The idea that prospective loving pet owners would embark on a trawl of the dark web is extremely far-fetched, and is in a different sphere altogether to the comparisons made to those individuals who seek guns, drugs, ammunition on the deep, dark web. In my view, a ban is an essential first step towards ending this practice of farming dogs or kittens for profit, with little or no regard for their welfare or their fitness as family companions. Stress, increased risk of disease, poor breeding practices and irresponsible selling tactics are all associated with methods of third-party selling. And the importance of taking such action was reinforced to me on a recent visit the Cardiff Dogs Home. It is, of course, an award-winning dogs home, but you couldn't help be touched by the faces of those animals seeking companionship and a loving home. Indeed, on this visit, I was informed that there are currently in the region of 9 million dogs across the United Kingdom—more than sufficient to supply the demand. There is simply no need for this additional commercial activity.

And to close, for me, the implementation of Lucy's law in Wales is vital if we are to address the damage that has been done to the reputation of Wales, which continues to be acknowledged as the puppy-farming hub of the United Kingdom. That's wrong, and it serves as an unwelcome strain on our great nation of animal lovers.

A ban on third party sales will ensure the nation's much loved pets get the right start in life and that people who have complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade. I pay tribute to Lucy's law's campaign, spearheaded by Pup Aid, C.A.R.I.A.D. and the canine action group—Canine Action UK—who have fought so tirelessly in this quest.

Wales should lead the way on animal welfare. There is nothing stopping us becoming the most animal friendly nation in the world. And as a first step in this crusade, I implore all Members to support this noble and noteworthy campaign.