§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those local authorities which have appointed animal welfare officers, and those which have not done so; and if he will detail the number of prosecutions brought by local authorities for animal abuse in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorAll local authorities must, under the terms of the Animal Health Act 1981, appoint inspectors whose duty it is to execute and enforce the Act. These responsibilities include orders made under the Act for the protection of animal welfare in transit and at markets. Local authorities are also responsible for carrying out and enforcing the provisions of the Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967 and Part II of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 which lay down provisions for the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses.
Information on criminal proceedings is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I understand that information held centrally does not separately distinguish local authorities as instigators of proceedings.