To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the introduction of Lucy’s Law.

Mr Muir

I have approved a policy proposal that will not only ban third-party sales of pups and kittens in Northern Ireland but facilitate greater transparency and accountability. The proposal would place legal requirements on anyone who wishes to sell or transfer the ownership of a pup or kitten. This will enable purchasers to identify where their pup or kitten has come from and reinforce positive animal welfare measures. My officials held a workshop with councils on 20 February to discuss the proposal and hear their views. Their feedback is being reviewed, and work is progressing towards launching a public consultation soon.

Mr Muir

There were not many benefits from the fact that the Assembly was collapsed for two years, but one benefit is that we can learn from what other areas learned as a result of progressing legislation. One of those areas of legislation was Lucy's law. The introduction of Lucy's law in England aimed to tackle the root causes of animal welfare issues, such as unethical breeding practices, by setting specific criteria for the sale of pets and ensuring that only licensed breeders could sell puppies or kittens. Indeed, the legislation has really helped increase awareness around buying a puppy and responsible dog breeders. Stopping the most unscrupulous breeders is always a challenge, as they continue to operate in the shadows and prey on unsuspecting dog lovers. Therefore, robust legislation is merely one tool. Making Lucy's law work in Northern Ireland will require education so that people do not get duped and know how to spot the telltale signs of rogue breeders. We need our citizens to be brave and report suspicious activity to the relevant statutory organisations so that investigations can be launched. Finally, we need robust enforcement mechanisms so that action can be taken.