The government is currently looking at widening regulations within pet care to include the pet grooming industry and has welcomed participation from the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA), according to a statement from the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG).
In October this year, or shortly thereafter, the Animal Activities Licensing Regulations – which, in part, impacts home boarders of pets - will come into effect. To be run by local authorities on a star-rated system, the licensing and regulation of pet groomers may take a similar shape and could be expected within the next five years.
BIGA has been invited to join the CFSG as it advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on this process.
BIGA directors Heidi Anderton and Pam Gee, along with Honorary Member Angela Caley, attended a ‘Big Tent’ meeting at DEFRA on May 1st.
At the meeting, stakeholders across the pet industry were briefed on the new rules for pet boarders and were invited to engage their peers and colleagues in the industry about how a similar system could be implemented within the pet grooming industry.
“This is very big news and I’m pleased that BIGA has been invited to advise government in the shaping and making of policy that could directly impact professional groomers across the UK,” said Heidi.
According to the statement from the CFSG:
“CFSG is pleased to have BIGA as a member so that we can move forward with ensuring good standards within the grooming sector and as you may know we are currently looking at drafting guidelines around this. The risk-based system is only for the activities included under the current Regulations but CFSG's aim will be to widen that and include a number of additional activities involving cats and dogs. BIGA's input will certainly be welcomed and we look forward to working with you.
“We have set up an online forum on www.mybiga.org ,” adds Heidi, “and we are now actively engaging our membership to have a voice in this process. BIGA is here to make sure that groomers, who are in the front line of pet welfare, are consulted and listened to.”
If you would like to discuss the proposed developments with other members of BIGA, please visit www.mybiga.org
