SPRING 2024 ROUND-UP New penalties for animal welfare offences ROUND-UP A new system of penalty notices for animal health and welfare rule infringements has been introduced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Under the Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022, penalty notices could be issued for offences such as animals living in a poor environment, repeated overdue bovine TB testing, breaches of avian influenza housing orders, or breeders operating without a licence. Owners could face penalties of up to 5,000, and serious animal welfare offences will still be prosecuted. Penalty notices will complement current enforcement and regulatory options, such as advice and guidance, warning letters or statutory notices, movement restrictions, and cautions and prosecutions. In determining if a fine is suitable for an offence, officers will consider: The seriousness and duration of the conduct Evidence of intention Evidence of similar previous acts or omissions Action taken to eliminate or reduce risk of harm Action taken to remedy or mitigate any harm resulting from the conduct Whether the person reported the conduct to the enforcement authority The conduct of the person after the offence is drawn to their attention. Payment of a penalty notice does not require an admission of guilt and will not result in a criminal record. For more information, see Defras statutory guidance. Credits: John Harvey, Environmental Health Officer Image: iStock.com / Andrew Linscott Bluetongue disease in England ROUND-UP Bluetongue a viral disease affecting ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle and deer has been identified at sites across Kent and Norfolk, and vets are warning farmers to remain vigilant. The disease is spread by midges and is not contagious between infected animals. Symptoms include fever, lesions, redness of the mouth, eyes and nose, reddening of the skin above the hoof, excessive salivation, and nasal discharge. However, infected animals may show few or no clinical signs. There have been 52 The risk of poultry exposure to bird flu bluetongue cases in Great Britain remains in England on 29 assessed as low. For the premises, and these latest avian flu updates, have had 10km see the government temporary control website. zones (TCZ) placed around them. Surveillance is ongoing. You can check if youre in a TCZ on the bluetongue disease control zone map. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and farmers must report it immediately, on 03000 200 301 in England and 03003 038 268 in Wales. Credit: Jenn Lister, Animal Health Officer Image: iStock.com / robbinsbox ROUND-UP XL bully dogs: restrictions now in force The American XL bully type dog has now been added to the list of banned dogs, which means it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, abandon or allow an XL bully type to stray. An XL bully must be muzzled and kept on a lead when in public. As of 1 February, it is a criminal offence to own an XL bully type dog in England and Wales without a valid exemption certificate. Recent reports have suggested that XL bully type dogs are being rehomed in Scotland. However the Scottish government is due to mirror the ban in place in England and Wales. Further guidance can be found on the government website. Credits: Lindsey Clarke, Animal Health Technical Officer Image: iStock.com / Alexandre Bauer Anonymous Hotline For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.