Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:37 pm on 9 October 2019.
Thank you. I think we were all absolutely horrified by the documentary that was aired last week. And you're quite right, we did consult early this year in relation to Lucy's law. I had—and I do not know if Members will have seen the written statement that I've issued around this issue—a meeting, the next day, with the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, to see what we could do immediately. I think there are several things we can do. I think we need to make sure that local authorities are aware of—. Obviously, they're the enforcement group that need to go to these puppy farms to ensure that the licence requirements are being upheld. So, I've asked the chief veterinary officer to meet with all 22 local authorities. I've personally written to the chief executives to ask them if they can put forward a representative to attend the meeting with the chief veterinary officer. I've asked the animal welfare group to look at the regulations, alongside the consultation responses in relation to Lucy's law.
The chief veterinary officer has also asked the Royal Veterinary College to look at the programme, because, obviously, there are implications around veterinary surgeons also. And I think it's up to individuals as well, if they come across one of these farms, if they go to buy a puppy—. Because the need for puppies seems to be increasing. People seem to be acquiring, and wanting to acquire, puppies much more than usual. So, I think we need to understand why that is also. There's a piece of work that will be going on, but I absolutely agree with you—it was horrific.