Rebecca Evans
AM, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food
I am pleased to announce that draft Regulations
which will require the compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales
have today been laid before the National Assembly for Wales for
consideration. They are to be debated in Plenary on the
20th October.
In taking these draft Regulations forward, we
submitted our draft Regulations along with the accompanying
Regulatory Impact Assessment to Member States via the European
Commission. A standstill period of three months was observed and no
objections were raised by Member States or the European Commission.
We are now working to bring in the compulsory
microchipping for all dogs in Wales in April 2016 (this is in line
with the date announced for compulsory microchipping in England and
Scotland).
My
officials have worked closely with counterparts in England on
cross-border issues because dogs are moved routinely between
England and Wales. Also, given that providers of microchipping
services work across Wales and England, there is a need to
harmonise standards and to synchronise our work.
Animal
welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government in line with the
Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework. It is firmly believed
that compulsory microchipping will have a positive impact because
the traceability of all dogs back to their owners - and ultimately
back to the breeders - will help to encourage more responsible
ownership.