“I would like to request the following information on the enforcement of animal health, animal welfare and equine legislation from 2017 to the present date.
– Which of the below legislation do you actively enforce, and which department/team is responsible for it?
o Animals Act 1971 (as amended by The Control of Horses Act 2015) – We do not actively enforce this legislation, but the Council may make use of its provisions from time to time.
o Equine identification (England) Regulations 2018 – Enforced by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service.
o Animal Welfare Act 2006 – Enforced by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service in relation to farmed animals.
o Animal Health Act 1981 and 2002 – Enforced by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service in relation to farmed animals.
o Animal Welfare (Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, including ‘hiring out horses’ – Enforced by The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, which is a function provided by District and Unitary councils in Devon
o Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990 – Enforced by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service.
o Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006 – Enforced by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service.
– Do you have a dedicated resource for animal welfare and/or animal health legislation and, if you do, how many people does this include? – We do not have a dedicated resource for animal welfare or health legislation. The Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service undertakes this work amongst other duties.
– How many times were the pieces of legislation listed above enforced for equines, if not possible could this be given for all animals, (if possible, could this answer be given separately for each piece of legislation) in:
Specifically for equines:-
2017 :
Animal Welfare Act – 1 enforcement
Horse Passport Regulations – 1 enforcement
2018 :
Animal Welfare Act – 1 prosecution
2019 to-date :
Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 – 2 enforcements
Animal Welfare Act – 1 prosecution
Animals Act 1971 – 1 enforcement
– If known, could you state the cost associated with enforcing this legislation for equines (or for all animals if not known). This could be either in total or, if possible, separately for each piece of legislation for the below dates. If this is not feasible would you be able to give an approximate total figure or state as an approximate percentage of your total budget?
o 2017
o 2018
o 2019 to-date
We do not hold this information.
– In the event of a disease outbreak, what resources do you have to trace animals and control the spread of the disease? Are these resources equally available for all livestock and equine species?
We have animal disease contingency plans in the event of a notifiable animal disease outbreak, and work in conjunction with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. We also work with Devon County Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council’s emergency planning teams and other partner agencies, as required.
– What training do those who are enforcing this legislation receive, including anything specific for equines?
Depending upon their roles and level of involvement with animal health and welfare activities, staff have completed an appropriate course or professional qualification module in animal health and welfare, as well as participating in suitable ongoing Continued Professional Development.
– How many years’ experience, on average, do those who are enforcing the legislation listed above have with equine specific legislation or working with equines?”
We do not hold this information.