BVA welcomes Northern Ireland animal welfare act

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly's passing of an historic animal welfare act this week.

Expected to take effect on April 2011, the Welfare of Animals Act will be the first major update to animal protection laws since 1972 and will emphasise the prevention of cruelty, rather than taking action after the fact.

The BVA has been supportive of the bill throughout the process and stated that its passing will bring Northern Ireland's animal welfare standards in line with those seen across the rest of the UK.

Harvey Locke, president of the BVA, expressed some disappointment that the final act omitted a ban on tail docking among dogs, but stated that there remains "much in the legislation to celebrate".

"Much of the power of the legislation will be determined by secondary legislation and the veterinary profession will be pushing for robust codes of practice," he added.

This week, the BVA also responded positively to news that the UK government will be opposing a proposed EU delay on the implementation of a ban on battery farm cages.