Programme motion agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Motion to sit in private before examination of witnesses agreed to. Examination of witnesses.

Programme motion agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Motion to sit in private before examination of witnesses agreed to. Examination of witnesses.

Animal Welfare Bill. Lords Committee stage first day. Grand Committee off the floor of the House (Moses Room). Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to, clauses 6 and 7 agreed to as amended.

Animal Welfare Bill. Lords Committee stage first day. Grand Committee off the floor of the House (Moses Room). Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to, clauses 6 and 7 agreed to as amended.

It is certainly helpful to have this provision added to Clause 7 on the administration of poisons. The ultimate horror, which people wish to resist, is poisoned baits, which are probably banned even now and have been the cause of death in dogs. There is always the problem of the dog getting...

It is certainly helpful to have this provision added to Clause 7 on the administration of poisons. The ultimate horror, which people wish to resist, is poisoned baits, which are probably banned even now and have been the cause of death in dogs. There is always the problem of the dog getting...

Before my noble friend comes back on this, perhaps I may make a few comments. The Minister said that field trials can continue—which obviously we welcome—so I presume that the only restriction will be on what I would call proper dog shows, and the one particularly affected would be Crufts.

Before my noble friend comes back on this, perhaps I may make a few comments. The Minister said that field trials can continue—which obviously we welcome—so I presume that the only restriction will be on what I would call proper dog shows, and the one particularly affected would be Crufts.

That is perfectly correct. I did not mention Crufts but that is what I intended when I referred to tails being docked for exhibition or cosmetic purposes. So, in effect, Crufts.

That is perfectly correct. I did not mention Crufts but that is what I intended when I referred to tails being docked for exhibition or cosmetic purposes. So, in effect, Crufts.

I thank Members of the Committee who have spoken and given very good examples; I also thank the Minister for his most helpful reply. I look forward to exploring this issue between now and Report. The Minister referred to police horses used in riots. Let us suppose that using horses was never reviewed...

I thank Members of the Committee who have spoken and given very good examples; I also thank the Minister for his most helpful reply. I look forward to exploring this issue between now and Report. The Minister referred to police horses used in riots. Let us suppose that using horses was never reviewed...

I would like to do so, because I am advised, sotto voce, that it is any person who is deemed competent. I know that the noble Baroness will come back to ask me who deems competence and what is competence in this context. I am happy to write to her.

I would like to do so, because I am advised, sotto voce, that it is any person who is deemed competent. I know that the noble Baroness will come back to ask me who deems competence and what is competence in this context. I am happy to write to her.

I hope that I will not bore your Lordships with the story of my dog, Prospero. About six weeks to two months ago, when I rang home to speak to my wife, she was in a considerable state, because she had been out that afternoon in the garden and the dog had wandered...

I hope that I will not bore your Lordships with the story of my dog, Prospero. About six weeks to two months ago, when I rang home to speak to my wife, she was in a considerable state, because she had been out that afternoon in the garden and the dog had wandered...

Clearly this is a very emotive issue. On principle I find it fairly unattractive when I see what I regard as non-domestic animals being made to perform acts that are alien to their natural behaviour. However, we have to accept the fact that circuses are part of national life and bring a great...

Clearly this is a very emotive issue. On principle I find it fairly unattractive when I see what I regard as non-domestic animals being made to perform acts that are alien to their natural behaviour. However, we have to accept the fact that circuses are part of national life and bring a great...

I understand that it would be perfectly possible but it is our wish that the microchipping should be done at a later age. It is our view that microchipping should not be done at that point in time. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 18 not moved.]

I understand that it would be perfectly possible but it is our wish that the microchipping should be done at a later age. It is our view that microchipping should not be done at that point in time. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 18 not moved.]

moved Amendments Nos. 25 to 30:"Page 4, line 34, after ““appropriate”” insert ““national””""Page 4, line 35, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b).""Page 4, line 41, leave out ““subsection (11)”” and insert ““this section””""Page 4, line 41, after second ““power”” insert ““—" (a)   to make different provision for different cases, and (b)   ”” Page 4, line 42, leave out first ““provision”” Page 4, line 44, leave out ““subsection...

moved Amendments Nos. 25 to 30:"Page 4, line 34, after ““appropriate”” insert ““national””""Page 4, line 35, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b).""Page 4, line 41, leave out ““subsection (11)”” and insert ““this section””""Page 4, line 41, after second ““power”” insert ““—" (a)   to make different provision for different cases, and (b)   ”” Page 4, line 42, leave out first ““provision”” Page 4, line 44, leave out ““subsection...

moved Amendment No. 23:"Page 4, line 16, leave out ““under this section”” and insert ““by the appropriate national authority””" On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendment No. 24 not moved.]

moved Amendment No. 23:"Page 4, line 16, leave out ““under this section”” and insert ““by the appropriate national authority””" On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendment No. 24 not moved.]

had given notice of his intention to move Amendment No. 20:"Page 4, line 2, after ““that”” insert ““evidence has been produced to him, in accordance with regulations made by the appropriate national authority, that””" The noble Lord said: In view of what the Minister has said, and given the information from the Royal College...

had given notice of his intention to move Amendment No. 20:"Page 4, line 2, after ““that”” insert ““evidence has been produced to him, in accordance with regulations made by the appropriate national authority, that””" The noble Lord said: In view of what the Minister has said, and given the information from the Royal College...

moved Amendment No. 31:"Page 5, line 9, after ““or”” insert ““reasonable””" The noble Baroness said: The amendment is intended to ensure consistency throughout the Bill. As Members of the Committee will be aware, as part of the redraft of Clause 8 that was done in another place, the defences available for certain elements of...

moved Amendment No. 31:"Page 5, line 9, after ““or”” insert ““reasonable””" The noble Baroness said: The amendment is intended to ensure consistency throughout the Bill. As Members of the Committee will be aware, as part of the redraft of Clause 8 that was done in another place, the defences available for certain elements of...

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. I shall be very interested to find out the outcome of his inquiries. It will be interesting to know the findings of the committee which recommended the legislation in Scotland as well as the outcome of the legislation. It is all on the...

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. I shall be very interested to find out the outcome of his inquiries. It will be interesting to know the findings of the committee which recommended the legislation in Scotland as well as the outcome of the legislation. It is all on the...

As I said, I will endeavour to find out. I am looking through my notes and I cannot find anything on Scotland. I have extensive notes that cover virtually everything that I need to know, but I do not have that. I am told it has not been banned yet, which means that the legislation has not yet...

As I said, I will endeavour to find out. I am looking through my notes and I cannot find anything on Scotland. I have extensive notes that cover virtually everything that I need to know, but I do not have that. I am told it has not been banned yet, which means that the legislation has not yet...

But I think that even within Crufts there are field trials which, while not held out in a field, are used to test expertise. Presumably that would still fall within the restriction. Can I also ask the Minister about the position of dogs which have been docked coming in from abroad and...

But I think that even within Crufts there are field trials which, while not held out in a field, are used to test expertise. Presumably that would still fall within the restriction. Can I also ask the Minister about the position of dogs which have been docked coming in from abroad and...

We have got it.

We have got it.

I am grateful to the noble Duke for his points. Now that he has caught up with it, I hope all noble Lords have now seen the draft of the Mutilations (Accepted Procedures) (England) Regulations. As set out, certain methods of identifying animals are considered mutilations, and we propose to exempt them...

I am grateful to the noble Duke for his points. Now that he has caught up with it, I hope all noble Lords have now seen the draft of the Mutilations (Accepted Procedures) (England) Regulations. As set out, certain methods of identifying animals are considered mutilations, and we propose to exempt them...

moved Amendment No. 16:"After Clause 5, insert the following new clause—" ““CRUEL OPERATIONS (1)   A person commits an offence if he performs an operation on a protected animal without due care and humanity. (2)   A person (““person A””) who is responsible for an animal commits an offence if— (a)   another person performs an operation on...

moved Amendment No. 16:"After Clause 5, insert the following new clause—" ““CRUEL OPERATIONS (1)   A person commits an offence if he performs an operation on a protected animal without due care and humanity. (2)   A person (““person A””) who is responsible for an animal commits an offence if— (a)   another person performs an operation on...