Consultation on draft Animal Health Bill
Update 9 July 2010
The Coalition Government does not intend to proceed with the draft Animal Health Bill published in January 2010 by the previous government, and will not respond formally to responses to the consultation on the draft Bill. The Government will investigate ways to share with livestock keepers the responsibility for preparing for and dealing with outbreaks of disease. It will take stock of the recommendations of the independently chaired Responsibility and Cost Sharing Advisory Group before bringing forward its proposals. The Advisory Group has been asked to report by December 2010. The Government will take account of views expressed by all interested parties. Find out more.
Codes of practice for the welfare of dogs, cats, horses (including other equidae) and privately kept non-human primates
Code of Practice for the welfare of dogs (pdf 1.3mb)The codes provide owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. They can also be used in courts as evidence in cases brought before them relating to poor welfare. The codes apply to England only (Wales and Scotland have their own equivalent codes), and are in force from 6 April 2010. Find out more.
All foals born after 1 July 2009, and any horses born before 30 June that have not been issued with a passport, will be required to have a microchip implanted by a veterinary surgeon when the owners apply for a passport, under new rules that harmonise and strengthen horse regulations across Europe. Find out more.
In the event of a disease outbreak the precise location of all livestock is essential for effective measures to control and eradicate highly contagious viruses. To try and stop the spread of disease there are strict rules controlling the identification and movements of livestock. These rules apply to you even if you only keep one animal of the species covered. These pages explain how you must identify and move livestock. (April 2009) Find out more.
Skillset has developed, in conjunction with Lantra, Standards and qualifications for those caring for animals in the creative media industries with the aim of:
Bringing the standard of animal care in the entertainment industry in line with other animal care businesses;
Encouraging the highest standards of animal welfare, competence and safety among animal consultants and trainers within the creative media industries;
Providing new entrants and those already working within the industry with qualification pathways that will support their career progression.
The project covered all aspects of preparing animals for filming and supervising them on film and television sets. In order to address these aspects, Skillset has developed new units to sit alongside current Lantra units. (April 2009) Find out more.