6. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:53 pm on 13 May 2020.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 5:53, 13 May 2020

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I would like to talk about animal welfare. Can I just say that Andrew Davies is speaking for very many of us in the Assembly when he talked about the need for Lucy’s law? I believe there is virtually unanimous support for bringing in Lucy’s law, and can I say that the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee would do anything that you ask of us in order to get Lucy’s law implemented in Wales?

Can I also ask you: will you join me in congratulating the Dogs Trust on what they’re doing in supporting those people who are homeless in terms of looking after their dogs and trying to make sure that they don’t lose their dog or don’t have to remain homeless in order to keep their dogs?

On two other areas of animal welfare, can you provide an update on the new code of practice that has been recommended for the keeping of rabbits? And what is the current position of Government guidance for the keeping of primates, and when is that to be proposed? Although, if it was up to me, I’d ban the keeping of primates as I think it’s fundamentally wrong, but if there is going to be Government action, can you tell us when it’s likely to happen?