Pet businesses urged to speak up on animal welfare standards
 |
The chief executive of the Pet Industry Federation, Nigel Baker (pictured), has urged pet businesses to have their say on sensitive welfare issues like dog breeding and the selling of pets during a DEFRA review of the licensiing of animal establishments in England.
The far-reaching DEFRA consultation is seeking the views of stakeholders on a number of questions which include licensing of all types of animal establishments, the sales of pets, primary authority, dog breeding, inspection schemes and voluntary regulation.
To help it formulate its response, PIF has put together an online survey and is asking pet businesses to take a few minutes completing it in order to put forward their views and ensure that their voice is heard.
Nigel Baker (pictured) said: "This is the first time in 65 years that licensing legislation has been opened up. The consultation offers us the one opportunity to have our say on the legislative framework governing the licensing of pet establishments and we have to get it right.
"We won’t get another chance in our lifetime to raise animal welfare standards and to remove the inconsistencies and anomalies in licensing that the various legal frameworks over the decades have created.
"The outcome of the consultation could have a profound commercial impact on all pet businesses, so I am asking the industry to act now and to spend just a few minutes writing down their thoughts on how they would like the licensing landscape to look for generations to come.
"Your views will then be incorporated into the PIF response, so that it is as representative of industry as possible."
He continued: "The PIF survey is open to all pet businesses, whether currently licensed or not. Most pet businesses will be affected by any new legislation, either directly or indirectly, so it’s vital that they take advantage of this opportunity to engage with the consultation."
Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZVJCNYC to access the online survey, which will close at 5pm on Friday 19 February 2016.
|
|
