ANIMAL LICENSING - SHARED LEARNING DAY NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP MARK BERRY PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP Purpose: The remit of the group extends to companion animals including stray dogs, dangerous dogs, animal welfare act and related licensing functions of local authorities i.e. pet shops, animal boarding establishments, dog breeding establishments, riding schools, dangerous wild animals and performing animals. Input into consultation responses Provide advice / guidance on interpretational queries on existing legislation Assist with the preparation of guidance / leaflets etc. Identify and discuss future priorities and issues Attend group meetings (approx. 2 per year) Attend meetings on behalf of LGA in an unofficial capacity Membership: Local authority staff representing regions or that have specialist knowledge and representation from other organisations as and when i.e. DEFRA, RSPCA, Dogs Trust etc.

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP In last 24 months we have been involved in the following; Contribution to various guidance documents – Defra Practitioners Manual, Model Conditions for Pet Vending, Cat Boarding, Dog Breeding ongoing on model conditions for Dog Boarding Submission to DEFRA Licensing Consultation Submission to EFRA review of the AWA Stakeholder meetings with DEFRA on upcoming legislation i.e. Micro- chipping Regulations Presentation at and working with APGAW ( The Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare) and the Canine and Feline Sector Group which reports to the Animal Health & Welfare Board Input into the Wooler review of the RSPCA LGA queries and consultations on animal based topics

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP New Animal Establishment Licensing Proposals Positives Risk based approach – in line with other regulatory enforcement. New clear, concise regulations fit for purpose and modern day landscape. Will allow resources to be targeted at those premises struggling to meet minimum standards. Clear guidance, relevant training and model conditions – produce consistent enforcement. Extend licensing regime to other types of animal activity

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP New Animal Establishment Licensing Proposals Concerns Exemptions for UKAS-accredited certification Accredited bodies ultimately have a commercial interest UKAS accreditation will only deal with the inspection angle of the process and not with any enforcement of legal minimum standards under the Animal Welfare Act A two tier system would have detrimental effects to the existing licensing service The lack of public recognition for accredited bodies / schemes where does a consumer direct a complaint A two tier system as being proposed would do nothing to tackle the fundamental issue of identifying those animal businesses that fall within a defined AEL activity

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP New Animal Establishment Licensing Proposals Concerns To change the statutory licensing threshold for dog breeding at three or more litters Will not address the fundamental flaws of the current system Proposed new legislation needs to put the onus on any dog breeder or dealer (definitions again to be clarified) to identify themselves to a local authority Proposed – anyone breeding / selling any puppies would need to register with their local authority for a small fee Any person breeding or selling more than one or possibly two litters (again this would need to be clarified) would then need to extend their registration to a formal licence application,

ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE (FRAMEWORK) RISK CATEGORY 1 RISK CATEGORY 3 Annual Inspection regime Min 1 unannounced visit within 12 month period 100% licence fee RISK CATEGORY 2 2 Year Inspection regime Min 1 unannounced visit within 24 month period 70 % licence fee 3 Year Inspection regime Min 1 unannounced visit within 36 month period 40 % licence fee Minimum AE specific MLC’s met Brand new premise – no history Varying record of compliance No procedures or systems in place Poor appreciation of legislation / standards Minimum AE specific MLC’s met Some Evidence of documented procedures and systems Staff demonstrate awareness of law /MLC’s Good history, minimal complaints Minimum AE specific MLC’s met High standard and history of compliance. Thorough documented procedures and systems – staff qualifications Accreditation scheme or similar standards Risk scoring matrix based around these and additional specific establishment risk factors (i.e. size, species, risks numbers of consumers – see attached an example for boarding establishments provided by (Winchester City Council) including the potential for a local risk based weighting would ensure consistent risk categorisation from LA’s

ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE (Risk Rating Matrix) Activity / Impact Low (1) Medium(2) High(3) Score* Record keeping Computer/paperwork information is easily accessible and comprehensible Information is available but can be difficult to understand or cross reference Information is kept but is disorganised Fire Safety and emergenciesGood fire fighting equipment, regularly checked and maintained. Good emergency evacuation and contingency plan and training for workers. Good fire fighting equipment, regularly checked and maintained. Documented fire evacuation plan exists Fire fighting equipment not checked regularly. Fire evacuation plan basic or not documented. Age/standard of accommodation Buildings new or fully refurbished within the last 5 years Buildings new or fully refurbished within the last 10 years Buildings not new or fully refurbished within the last 10 years Temperature/ventilationVentilation good at all times. Temperatures maintained with individual heating in each kennel/chalet or home environment when required. Ventilation good. Block heating rather than individual heaters. Ventilation or temperature control not ideal Unsuitable or poorly maintained heating system. Exercise facilities Runs attached to each kennel/chalet and available for use as necessary. Dogs walked, or run in a large paddock, daily. Runs attached to each kennel/chalet and available for use as necessary. Kennels/chalets do not have accessible adjoining runs. Dogs from different households are mixed. Dogs not exercised daily. Hygiene/disease control Surfaces all hygienic with no gaps. Easily cleanable & disinfectable and good cleaning regime/equipment. Surfaces all hygienic with no gaps but sometimes difficult to access for cleaning and disinfection. Satisfactory cleaning regime/equipment. Surfaces not all completely hygienic or gap-free. Difficult to fully clean and disinfect. Cleaning regime/equipment not ideal.

NATIONAL COMPANION ANIMAL FOCUS GROUP Future Delivery of Animal Licensing Things to consider Primary Authority approach Regional Approach – utilising existing or creating new regional forums to share best practice, expertise and promote consistency EFRA review may recommend restructure of all companion animal based enforcement – various options Ultimately backed up by a national risk framework led by DEFRA - similar to the framework that exists between the Food Standards Agency and local authorities

Mark Berry Principal Environmental Health Officer Thank You