THREE public hearings into puppy factories and the regulation of commercial pet breeding in NSW will be held next week, beginning in Armidale on Tuesday, Northern Tablelands MP and Chair of Joint Select Committee on Companion Animal Breeding Practices Adam Marshall announced today.
“The committee will meet in Armidale on Tuesday (14 July) and again in Sydney on Wednesday and Thursday to hear evidence from the public and other stakeholders,” Mr Marshall said.
“The committee received more than 330 written submissions and 2,200 items of correspondence to our inquiry, which is examining proposals for a breeders’ licensing system, the need for limits on the number of breeding animals per establishment and the regulation of pet sales.”
Mr Marshall said he was very pleased to be bringing the committee to the region to deal with these important issues.
“For some time the Northern Tablelands community has been aware of the issues surrounding puppy factories and has been debating how to deal with them. The public hearing on Tuesday will be an important opportunity to hear from community members and identify how to move ahead,” he said.
The Committee has invited a range of industry stakeholders, breeding groups and animal welfare advocates to give evidence at the Sydney public hearings, as well as regulators like the RSPCA, the Animal Welfare League and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
“The committee and I look forward to recommending how to deliver better outcomes for the public, breeders and retailers, and for the welfare of our companion animals,” Mr Marshall said.
At next Tuesday’s hearing the committee will hear evidence from Armidale Dumaresq Council, local breeders and facility owners Jude Costello and Pat Carmody and Geoff Johnson, animal welfare advocate Judy Scrivener and Armidale citizen Phil Evans.
“The committee is likely to also take evidence from another local breeder in camera and will be conducting an inspection of a local breeding facility,” Mr Marshall said.
Further information about the inquiry, including the hearing schedule and inquiry submissions, may be obtained by visiting: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/cabpinquiry.
Download here – Notice of public hearing for publication – hearing no 1 – 14 July 2015