Thank you for contacting me regarding puppy farming in Wales.
I wholeheartedly believe that current Animal Welfare legislation does not go far enough to protect puppies, dogs and owners from the consequences of poor breeding practices, and my Parliamentary colleagues and I are committed to ensuring an urgent review of the current Welsh breeding regulations is conducted.
It’s clear that these regulations are ineffective and there’s a serious lack of enforcement. Welsh Conservatives have previously raised the issue of both regulations and enforcement of those regulations with the Welsh Labour-led Government on a number of occasions.
It is also important that programmes such as BBC Wales Investigates put a spotlight on puppy farming in Wales, as their broadcast are a huge step forward in educating people about some of the practices taking place on their doorstep. Ensuring everyone is informed about where to buy a puppy and what to look for and ask of a breeder is also essential in changing the puppy farming landscape in Wales.
This has been a stain on our nation of animal-lovers for too long and we have to do so much more to tackle this issue in Wales, which is sadly known as the puppy-farming capital of the UK. Dogs should not have to experience such vile treatment and Welsh Labour and local authorities must act immediately.
I am therefore extremely disappointed that the Welsh Labour-led Government continues to drag this issue out, conducting a consultation this year which showed, unsurprisingly, that 98% of respondents are in favour of banning the third party sale of puppies. The Minister for Environment and Rural Affairs has said she would introduce a ban “by the end of this Senedd”, so Welsh Conservatives will hold her to that promise.
Please be assured that a Welsh Conservative Government would introduce a ban on the third party sale of puppies and kittens, meaning that anyone wanting to get a puppy or kitten would have to buy directly from a breeder or adopt from a rescue centre. Licensed dog breeders would be required to show puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth, and if a business sells puppies or kittens without a licence, they would receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months. Furthermore, my colleagues and I would introduce an Animal Welfare Bill which would consolidate and update existing animal welfare legislation to support its enforcement and increase accessibility, including tougher criminal sentences for acts of animal cruelty.
In the meantime, my colleague, the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, will continue to press the Welsh Government on this important issue.
Once again thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards,
Mark Isherwood MS
