Expert Advisory Group completes review of Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland

Recommendations to improve animal welfare in dog breeding practices in Northern Ireland have been presented to DAERA.

The Review of the Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland has been produced by an independent Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Gareth Arnott from Queen’s University alongside members Susan Cunningham, a veterinary surgeon with over 35 years’ experience and Vanessa Barnes, legal advisor on Animal Welfare. The Expert Advisory Group was commissioned to assess if the current regulations are fit for purpose and to identify any gaps that may impact the welfare of breeding dogs and their offspring. The review also examined physical and behavioural welfare issues associated with the breeding and selling of dogs.

The report sets out the key findings from the group’s extensive work, which has included gathering a wide range of evidence, from stakeholders and organisations and examining best practice from the UK, Ireland and internationally.

Minister Muir said: “I welcome the report and want to express my appreciation to the Expert Advisory Group. The insights provided will inform my next steps, which I will consider carefully.

“I recognise that addressing the issues identified in the review is a complex undertaking and that many of the recommendations propose significant changes to current practices.

“Detailed consideration is necessary to ensure robust policy proposals can be developed to deliver meaningful improvements to animal welfare.

Launching the report, Professor Arnott, Chair of the Group said: “It has been a privilege to Chair the Expert Advisory Group tasked with reviewing the dog breeding regulations in Northern Ireland. Together with the other members of the group, Vanessa Barnes and Susan Cunningham, we viewed the task as a timely opportunity to reform the existing regulations, with animal welfare as a central focus.

“Given the role dogs play as family companions, we felt the responsibility of the task and the need to ensure an ethical and sustainable supply of dogs that are equipped to thrive. With that in mind I would like to thank all those that contributed evidence and engaged in meetings with us. This, together with existing published literature has informed our report and recommendations.”

He added: “In the report we outline a series of recommendations that provide a framework that would place Northern Ireland at the forefront of safeguarding animal welfare in relation to dog breeding. The ambition of the group is to see reform that results in Northern Ireland leading the way in standards of dog breeding. This includes a timely opportunity to show leadership in addressing welfare issues associated with breeding for extreme conformation.”

The establishment of the Expert Advisory Group and the completion of this review form part of the Minister’s wider programme of animal welfare reforms contained within the Animal Welfare Pathway: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/animal-welfare-pathway-advancing-animal-welfare-northern-ireland-2025-27, aimed at delivering lasting improvements to welfare standards across Northern Ireland. The report can be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/review-dog-breeding-regulations-northern-ireland-recommendations-improve-animal-welfare