Wednesday, 17 November 2021
The NSW Government has today invited the community to provide feedback on the proposed introduction of a new licensing scheme and changes to the regulation of cat and dog breeders across the State.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the release of the Consultation Paper: Licensing and regulation of cat and dog breeders was in response to heightened concerns about companion animal breeding practices.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring its animal welfare laws reflect the latest science and community sentiment, so we are calling on all members of the community to help have their say on how we licence and regulate breeders,” Mr Marshall said.
“The vast majority of breeders are complying with the current animal welfare laws, however unfortunately there are some unscrupulous operators doing the wrong thing, which is why we need to introduce a licensing scheme and review the regulations to make sure they are fit for purpose.
“We currently don’t licence large-scale commercial dog breeders in NSW, which has made it more difficult for enforcement agencies and local councils to do their important work and allowed illegal operators to escape scrutiny.
“The NSW Government is proposing to introduce a commercial dog breeder licensing scheme that would provide additional oversight of larger-scale breeders to give the community confidence breeders are providing a high standard of welfare for their animals.
“The Consultation Paper also seeks feedback on whether the requirements of the Breeding Code should continue to apply as they currently do, or whether change is needed.”
Last year, the NSW Government established the Puppy Factory Taskforce, to ensure breeders were complying with the law and, earlier this year, NSW introduced the toughest set of penalties for animal cruelty found anywhere in Australia.
“The opening of consultation on the proposed licensing and regulation of cat and dog breeders is yet another proactive step to find, expose and shut down puppy factories,” Mr Marshall said.
Mr Marshall said the current exemptions for working dogs and hobby breeders would continue.
“There are absolutely no plans to burden primary producers or hobby breeders, these proposed changes are aimed squarely at large-scale commercial breeders, as that is where the concerns and problems are,” he said.
The consultation paper is in addition to existing animal welfare reform currently underway. Consultation is open until 31 December 2021.
To read the Consultation Paper and have your say, visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au