Consultations

 

Consultations & Regulatory Updates

If you would like to discuss any response with the British Horse Council please contact us.

Licensing of activities involving animals

Improving animal welfare standards (article from the Scottish Government)   Further info

This consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce new licensing regulations in Scotland covering a range of animal-related activities when carried on in the course of a business, including replacing existing legislation for riding establishments with updated licensing requirements.

About  Consultation  Livery yard qu's  Equine riding establishment qu's

The consultation closes on 26th September 2023.

TB census

The Horse Welfare Board, in collaboration with Hartpury University, has launched the first ever thoroughbred census in Great Britain. The census aims to identify how many thoroughbreds (not involved in racing) are currently resident in the UK and to discover what activities they take part in. The Census will be open until December 2023 and aims to ensure full traceability of thoroughbreds in the UK in the future. The Census should not take more than 10 minutes to complete.

Survey    Complete survey

Precision breeding and animal welfare (Equine sector)

Determining potential impacts of Precision Breeding on Animal Welfare - AW0521   Further info

Researchers are working on a project on potential welfare assessments for animal precision breeding to support Defra in the development of secondary legislation under the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 in England.

Survey    Complete survey  Queries

Introducing penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences in England

Penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences in England: Consultation   View

Government is looking for public feedback on the proposed implementation of penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences in England. The deadline for submissions is 20 July 2023.

Charging arrangements at government-run border control posts

Open consultation (applies to England)   View

This consultation seeks views on the government’s plan to introduce a Common User Charge to recover operating costs at government-run border control posts and closes 11.59pm (BST) on 9 July 2023.

A new model for imports

The Border Target Operating Model: Draft for Feedback   View guidance

The Border Target Operating Model proposes a new approach to security controls and Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, germinal products etc.) at the border. It sets out how controls will be delivered through simplification, digitisation and the UK’s new Single Trade Window. The survey has now closed and we await feedback.

Welfare in Transport Official Controls Consultation

Changes to Animal Welfare in Transport Regulations: Consultation  View

Defra are currently seeking views on intended changes to legislation relating to the official controls conducted by the Competent Authority regarding animal welfare during transport. The consultation closed on 21 October 2022.

 View consultation (English)  View consultation (Welsh)

Sentencing Council

Animal cruelty: Consultation  View

The Sentencing Council is seeking to revise and update the sentencing guideline for animal cruelty, to provide fuller guidance to sentencers. The consultation closed on 1 August 2022.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Moving animals across borders inquiry  View

This inquiry scrutinised the impact of the new agreement and relationship with the EU on how animals can be moved across borders, focusing on live animal exports, equines and domestic animals. Its report and Government’s response are now published.

Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill

Legislation introduced to Parliament by UK Government  View Progress

Statutory guidance for Hiring out horses licensing

Hiring out horses licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities, updated 1 February 2022    View

Animal Welfare Committee

BHC response to Animal Welfare Committee call for information on Covid-19 outbreak   BHC response

Animal Welfare

This plan sets out government’s aims and ambitions across animal welfare   View

English and Welsh Government Consultations

The are no current consultations.

Northern Ireland Government Consultations

There are no current consultations.

Scottish Government Consultations

Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill   View Bill