Gildernew progresses new bills at Executive

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has secured agreement from the Executive to progress three new Bills currently being taken forward by her Department.

At Thursday’s meeting, the Executive considered the Minister’s proposals relating to the Diseases of Animals Bill, the Welfare of Animals Bill and the Dog Control Bill which are at different stages in the legislative process.

Discussing the meeting, the Minister said: “I wish to thank Executive colleagues for their support. Securing their approval was another step forward in the timely progress of these three Bills to the next stage. It is my intention that all three Bills will be enacted during the lifetime of this Assembly and this will represent a significant work programme for my Department over the next 18 months.

“The Diseases of Animals Bill is likely to be operational in early 2010. The Welfare of Animals Bill and Dog Control Bill are at earlier stages of development and my officials and I will be working hard to ensure these Bills are introduced to the Assembly by June next year and become operational by Mid 2011.”

On the Diseases of Animals Bill the Executive agreed that an amendment should be made to the Bill to introduce a link between compliance with statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis and payment of compensation for the slaughter of animals affected with this disease. The Minister explained that while good progress has been made to reduce Brucellosis disease levels, compliance with the new statutory Biosecurity Guidance for this particular disease will be a key element in accelerating the push towards Brucellosis free status in the north.

Following consultation on the proposals by DARD, the Executive agreed the final policy content of the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill and that the drafting of the Bill should commence.

The Executive agreed to consultation on proposals for a new Dog Control Bill and this consultation will begin later this month.

Notes to editor:

1. The Diseases of Animals Bill will enable stricter enforcement checks at ports, compulsory biosecurity measures at all livestock premises and measures to swiftly contain and eradicate disease outbreaks. The Bill will also enable the introduction of policies reflecting the latest developments in research and technology to trace and combat disease.

2. The overall purpose of the new Welfare of Animals Bill will be to prevent cruelty to any vertebrate animal, it will also sets out obligations on people to promote the welfare of animals, including domestic pets, for which they are responsible.

3. The welfare bill would also address the gap between the high protection afforded to farmed animals compared to the somewhat more limited protection afforded to non-farmed animals. A key benefit of the Bill is that it will requires a duty of care for non-farmed animals and provides powers to allow action to be taken to prevent them from suffering as opposed to under current legislation, having to wait until they actually suffer before action can be taken.

4. The overall purpose of the Dog Control Bill will be to address dog control issues such as dog attacks and straying. To deal with these issues, the Minister proposes to change the Dogs Order 1983 in order to:

support responsible dog ownership through compulsory micro-chipping and a more robust and effective dog licensing system;

focus on prevention through earlier intervention to reduce the number of dog attacks on people;

make it an offence to allow a dog to attack another dog; and

increase penalties for other offences.

5. Public consultation on the proposals will begin later this month. Full details will be available at the DARD website in due course.

6. The Department is also taking forward a new Forestry Bill which aims to replace outdated forestry law with new legislation which will support a wider role for forestry in modern society. Following the introduction of the Forestry Bill to the Assembly on 29 June 2009, the Second Stage of the Bill through the Assembly was agreed in September this year. The Bill now stands referred to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, who will carry out a detailed investigation and report back to the Assembly. The legislation is not expected to come into operation until 2010.

7. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.