23 Aug 2018
Scotland risks being “left behind” in efforts to combat third party puppy sales, an MP has argued, after Westminster moved closer to agreeing a change in the law for the rest of the UK.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has launched a consultation in response to the ‘Lucy’s Law’ animal welfare campaign.
The UK Government department has pressed ahead after issuing a call for evidence in February on a proposed ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens, which would mean that anyone buying or adopting a dog or cat would deal directly with the breeder of an animal rehoming centre.
Ross Thomson, MP for Aberdeen South, has previously urged the SNP government in Edinburgh to follow suit.
The Scottish Conservative MP wrote to Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, earlier this year.
He argued that putting a stop to third party sales would prevent ‘puppy farm’ dealers that had not bred the animals from selling them on – often after they have been kept in cruel conditions.
In response, Ms Cunningham said the government “intends to revise” legislation around breeding and licensing, but has not yet launched a public consultation.
Mr Thomson said:
“I am delighted to see the UK Government make progress on Lucy’s Law to ban third party puppy sales in England.
“The launch of this consultation by DEFRA is another step towards a change in the law.
“However, I am concerned that Scotland risks being left behind on this issue.
“I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on this subject earlier this year. In response, she said the Scottish Government ‘intends to revise’ legislation around this.
“I hope that we will soon hear proposals from Holyrood on changes to legislation around breeding and licensing in Scotland that have been suggested.
“I want to do all I can to help eradicate this practice, and I think most people expect the government to act.”
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