As the UK Parliament prepares for the second reading of The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill on 29 November, The Kennel Club is calling on dog owners and breeders to voice their concerns about the proposed legislation.
This Bill aims to address issues surrounding animal welfare during importation, including prohibitions on importing puppies, kittens, and ferrets under six months of age, as well as banning the import of heavily pregnant animals and animals with mutilations, such as cropped ears.
The Kennel Club has voiced its support for the overall welfare objectives of the Bill, recognising the potential positive impact on animal welfare. However, the organisation has highlighted concerns that strict application of the six-month import minimum age could have unintended effects on the genetic diversity and health of several dog breeds in the UK, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, Lagotto Romagnolo, and Barbet.
To mitigate this, The Kennel Club is advocating for an exception within the Bill that would allow responsible importers to bring in young dogs when necessary to protect and enhance the genetic diversity of certain breeds.
Call for a Tightly Controlled Import Mechanism
The Kennel Club’s stance centres around the need for a carefully managed system allowing specific imports under six months of age. Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club, explained, “While the Bill is a positive and necessary step for animal welfare, we know many owners and breeders will be concerned by the six-month minimum import age, and what that might mean for the future of some of our most beloved breeds, who are heavily reliant on the importation of new gene lines.”
Dr Hayes further highlighted the organisation’s advocacy efforts, stating that The Kennel Club is actively lobbying for a controlled import mechanism. This proposed system would permit breeders and importers to demonstrate a genetic diversity need for importing dogs under six months old. This exception, they argue, would support the continued health and genetic stability of dog breeds that could otherwise face challenges from a limited gene pool.
To support their cause, The Kennel Club is encouraging breeders and dog owners affected by the potential restrictions to take action by contacting their Members of Parliament. To facilitate this, The Kennel Club has made a downloadable template letter available on its website. Dr Hayes urged anyone with concerns to utilise this resource, ensuring their views are formally recorded and considered by policymakers before the Bill’s finalisation.
As the debate progresses, The Kennel Club remains committed to balancing animal welfare with the long-term genetic health of UK dog breeds and encourages active engagement from the dog-owning public and breeding community. For further information and to access the template letter, dog owners and breeders are encouraged to visit The Kennel Club’s website.
