Key Facts

• The Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 9 November, Tuesday 16 November, and Thursday 18 November.
• Witnesses include representatives from various animal welfare organisations such as RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and others.
• The Bill addresses issues like sheep worrying, live export of animals, and primate keeping.
• Dogs Trust supports raising the minimum age of entry for imported dogs to six months.
• A reduction in the maximum number of animals that can be transported from five to three is proposed.
• There are estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 primates privately kept in England.
• Puppy dealers earn £2.5 million to £3 million a year through illegal trade.
• Dogs Trust has statistics showing over 96% of dog owners have one, two or three dogs.
• A paper published in 2010 found more than 96% of dog owners have one, two or three dogs.
• The Bill includes regulation-making powers to adjust the regulatory mechanism for dealing with puppy smuggling.
• Between 3,000 to 5,000 primates are being kept as pets.
• People can purchase a tamarin online for £1,500 to £2,000 without instructions on care.
• There is concern about welfare problems if primates are abandoned after the two-year licensing period.
• The proposal is to set a minimum age limit for imported dogs at six months.
• Reintroducing health checks such as the rabies titre test could reduce disease risk from young naive animals.
• Pregnant mums should not be allowed to import if they are more than 30% pregnant, based on ultrasound and kidney appearance at about 42 days of pregnancy.
• Visual checks for mutilations like docked ears or declawing need to be conducted by independent agencies rather than carriers.
• Since the legislation came into effect in 2019, approximately 2,000 puppies have been seized but only three prosecutions and no custodial sentences have followed.
• Funding and training are required for local authorities to effectively enforce licensing.
• The RSPCA suggests reducing primate licence periods from six years to one year.
• Visual checks need to be implemented at border points to prevent illegal imports.
• The Bill aims to highlight inappropriate practices such as dog mutilation.
• Tail docking is permitted in certain circumstances under current legislation.
• Cropping of ears is illegal in all EU member states but legal in Serbia, leading to Romanian dogs being Serbian imports.
• One in five pets bought now has brachycephalic features with potential health problems.
• French bulldogs, bulldogs, and pugs are the key breeds coming through import channels.
• The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 recognises conservation efforts.
• RSPCA investigates about 85% of animal welfare issues in the UK.
• Local authorities may face additional duties without corresponding financial support.
• Esther McVey introduced Dr Alison Cronin, director of Monkey World; Dr Simon Girling, chair of the Zoos Expert Committee; and Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
• The witnesses provided evidence on primate welfare under the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
• There are no registration systems for approximately 66 species of primate that can be kept as pets.
• The number of primates ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 based on estimates by some organisations.
• Monkey World has taken in more than 120 primates over the past 25 years compared to 15 over just two recent years.
• The consultation process will be a 12-week period.
• Local authorities may have more power to implement penalties against zoos that fail welfare and conservation requirements.
• There is no requirement currently set down for consultation when the standards are reviewed.
• The issue involves primates kept in pet shops without being offered for sale.
• There are concerns about farm parks that fall between zoo and pet shop legislation.
• Monkey World is at or over capacity due to rehoming efforts.
• Esther McVey is addressing concerns about public perception regarding primates as pets.
• The debate involves practical considerations versus outright bans or licensing systems for primate welfare.
• Conservation standards are being proposed to enhance and clarify meaningful conservation efforts.
• Dr Girling discusses the role of zoos in conservation beyond mere breeding or funding.
• The Bill aims to enhance conservation measures within zoological collections.
• BIAZA is considering setting up an accreditation system similar to a traffic-light approach for public recognition.
• The session concludes after questioning witnesses.
• Witnesses thanked include Dr Alison Cronin MBE, director of Monkey World; Dr Simon Girling, chair of the Zoos Expert Committee; and Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
• The committee will meet again at two o'clock in the Boothroyd room.