Memorandum submitted by the Feline Advisory
Bureau (FAB)
The Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) welcomes the
draft Animal Welfare Bill.
We comment only on several specific issues where
we have expertise.
1. BOARDING CATTERIES
FAB has already taken part in the Defra boarding
workstream. The recommendation is that catteries are inspected
every 18 months, with a veterinary presence every five years.
FAB COMMENTS:
There is no additional benefit to visiting every
18 months, compared to an annual inspection. A well-trained inspector
will be able to assess a cattery effectively at any time of the
year. A regular annual inspection is easier to plan and less likely
to be overlooked. There would be no extra benefit in having a
veterinary presence if the inspector was carrying out his or her
job correctly. In order to make this happen, the Bill will need
to ensure:
(a) Provision for mandatory use of a clear
well thought out code of practice to be used for the cattery must
be visited. In order for inspectors to be able to make informed
decisions about the many different catteries they will see, they
would also require supporting literature and knowledgeable telephone
support, for clarification or additional information.
(b) Mandatory training for inspectors (Environmental
Health Officers, animal wardens or veterinary surgeons) so they
understand why the code says what it does and thus make informed
decisions from a position of confidence.
2. Under Annex G Proposal to breed out characteristics
that make a dog or cat more prone to suffering. FAB supports Defra's
proposal to phase out certain characteristics in cats and dogs
that make them prone to suffering. We agree that this can only
be achieved with the co-operation of breed societies and FAB supports
registering bodies, such as the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy
and breed clubs, in aiming to breed out problems. There should,
however, be continued pressure from Defra to ensure that this
is being achieved and that breeders are encouraged to realise
that it is their responsibility.
12 August 2004
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