§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to require the owners of exotic pets in Northern Ireland to register them. [132466]
§ Angela SmithOn 13 October I published the legislative proposals for public consultation to regulate dangerous wild animals kept by private individuals in Northern Ireland. The proposed legislation will require anyone owning or wishing to own a dangerous wild animal to apply to the Department of the Environment for a licence. It will also establish stringent criteria, on matters such as public safety, security of accommodation and animal welfare, which will need to be met, and confirmed by inspection, before the grant of a licence. The draft legislation also specifies licence conditions which the licence holder will have to meet while any dangerous wild animal is being kept. The consultation paper has been circulated and the Department of the Environment would welcome any views on the legislative proposals.