News & Reports
Microchipping
Welsh Government to consult further on compulsory microchipping of dogs THE Welsh Government will be holding a further consultation on its proposed regulations introducing the compulsory microchipping of dogs. Rebecca Evans, the deputy minister for farming and food in Wales, announced on February 16 that she had decided that the consultation would be required to gather views on some specific elements that were being proposed for inclusion in the legislation. The microchipping of dogs in Wales was originally due to become compulsory on March 1 this year. However, in September 2014, Ms Evans announced that this date was unlikely to be met. In a written statement at the time, she said that she had asked for the draft Animal Welfare (Identification of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations to be withdrawn following a report from the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for Wales, and had asked her officials to revisit the legislation. ‘I will ensure the additional work required to consider the concerns raised by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee is undertaken and I hope to introduce the draft Identification of Dogs Regulations as soon as possible to maintain the momentum we have built up in Wales in relation to moving towards the goal of having all dogs in 212 | Veterinary Record | February 28, 2015
Wales microchipped,’ Ms Evans said in her statement. The Welsh Government is now proposing to introduce legislation requiring the compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales by the spring of 2016. Speaking on February 16, Ms Evans said, ‘Work has progressed with key stakeholders and specific areas of the policy have been developed which have needed further attention. I have decided that a further eight-week consultation will be required to take wider views on some of the specific elements we are proposing to include in the Regulations. These include enforcement, implantation of the microchips, and how any information gathered is recorded.’ The Welsh Government added that its officials were working closely with their counterparts in England on cross-border issues. Microchipping of dogs will become compulsory in England from April 6, 2016. The BVA welcomed the clarification of the timescale for introducing the microchipping legislation in Wales. It also welcomed the consultation on the details relating to enforcement, implantation and the recording of information. John Blackwell, the BVA President, commented: ‘We are pleased that we now have a clear timetable for the introduction
of compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales, with careful due diligence given to ensure the details of implementation are right. It is important that these details are worked out and worked through before microchipping becomes compulsory – for example, it is critical that it is clear who can and cannot implant microchips. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Wales and the Welsh Government to create a robust, trusted system that works smoothly and efficiently for dog owners and vets alike. We also urge the Scottish Government to no longer delay in committing to compulsory microchipping so that we have alignment in microchipping policy throughout the UK.’ Rob Davies, president of the BVA Welsh Branch, added: ‘Our members across Wales will be very pleased that we have both a clear timetable and a clear commitment to getting the details of implementation right. We will work with Rebecca Evans and her team in the coming year to help get the message out to vets and their clients across Wales about the introduction of these important regulations in 2016, making sure that owners are well-prepared and know their responsibilities.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.h1052
Microchipping
Welsh Government to consult further on compulsory microchipping of dogs THE Welsh Government will be holding a further consultation on its proposed regulations introducing the compulsory microchipping of dogs. Rebecca Evans, the deputy minister for farming and food in Wales, announced on February 16 that she had decided that the consultation would be required to gather views on some specific elements that were being proposed for inclusion in the legislation. The microchipping of dogs in Wales was originally due to become compulsory on March 1 this year. However, in September 2014, Ms Evans announced that this date was unlikely to be met. In a written statement at the time, she said that she had asked for the draft Animal Welfare (Identification of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations to be withdrawn following a report from the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for Wales, and had asked her officials to revisit the legislation. ‘I will ensure the additional work required to consider the concerns raised by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee is undertaken and I hope to introduce the draft Identification of Dogs Regulations as soon as possible to maintain the momentum we have built up in Wales in relation to moving towards the goal of having all dogs in 212 | Veterinary Record | February 28, 2015
Wales microchipped,’ Ms Evans said in her statement. The Welsh Government is now proposing to introduce legislation requiring the compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales by the spring of 2016. Speaking on February 16, Ms Evans said, ‘Work has progressed with key stakeholders and specific areas of the policy have been developed which have needed further attention. I have decided that a further eight-week consultation will be required to take wider views on some of the specific elements we are proposing to include in the Regulations. These include enforcement, implantation of the microchips, and how any information gathered is recorded.’ The Welsh Government added that its officials were working closely with their counterparts in England on cross-border issues. Microchipping of dogs will become compulsory in England from April 6, 2016. The BVA welcomed the clarification of the timescale for introducing the microchipping legislation in Wales. It also welcomed the consultation on the details relating to enforcement, implantation and the recording of information. John Blackwell, the BVA President, commented: ‘We are pleased that we now have a clear timetable for the introduction
of compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales, with careful due diligence given to ensure the details of implementation are right. It is important that these details are worked out and worked through before microchipping becomes compulsory – for example, it is critical that it is clear who can and cannot implant microchips. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Wales and the Welsh Government to create a robust, trusted system that works smoothly and efficiently for dog owners and vets alike. We also urge the Scottish Government to no longer delay in committing to compulsory microchipping so that we have alignment in microchipping policy throughout the UK.’ Rob Davies, president of the BVA Welsh Branch, added: ‘Our members across Wales will be very pleased that we have both a clear timetable and a clear commitment to getting the details of implementation right. We will work with Rebecca Evans and her team in the coming year to help get the message out to vets and their clients across Wales about the introduction of these important regulations in 2016, making sure that owners are well-prepared and know their responsibilities.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.h1052
