Unfortunately, I could not be present on Report but I think my noble friend Lord Cormack spoke about this matter. As the Minister will remember, the whole idea was to give those participating in the scheme some sort of public recognition. I was not too worried about the wording; I...

Unfortunately, I could not be present on Report but I think my noble friend Lord Cormack spoke about this matter. As the Minister will remember, the whole idea was to give those participating in the scheme some sort of public recognition. I was not too worried about the wording; I...

My Lords, I will not take up the attention of the House for more than a couple of minutes. At various stages in our deliberations on the Bill, we have had cause to complain that too much is being done by regulation and, still worse, by codes of practice on...

My Lords, I will not take up the attention of the House for more than a couple of minutes. At various stages in our deliberations on the Bill, we have had cause to complain that too much is being done by regulation and, still worse, by codes of practice on...

Animal Welfare Bill. Queens consent signified. Lords third reading and debate on amendments. Passed on question and returned to Commons with amendments.

Animal Welfare Bill. Queens consent signified. Lords third reading and debate on amendments. Passed on question and returned to Commons with amendments.

moved Amendment No. 9: Page 7, line 43, at end insert- ““( ) An inspector may amend an improvement notice.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the amendment deals with inspectors and where an improvement notice might be added. It would enable an inspector to amend an improvement notice. It...

moved Amendment No. 9: Page 7, line 43, at end insert- ““( ) An inspector may amend an improvement notice.”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the amendment deals with inspectors and where an improvement notice might be added. It would enable an inspector to amend an improvement notice. It...

My Lords, with that helpful answer, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

My Lords, with that helpful answer, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

moved Amendment No. 10: After Clause 10, insert the following new clause- ““GREYHOUND WELFARE (1) The appropriate national authority shall provide regulations under section 12 to introduce licensing of all racing greyhounds' tracks within two years of the day on which this Act is passed. (2) The appropriate national authority...

moved Amendment No. 10: After Clause 10, insert the following new clause- ““GREYHOUND WELFARE (1) The appropriate national authority shall provide regulations under section 12 to introduce licensing of all racing greyhounds' tracks within two years of the day on which this Act is passed. (2) The appropriate national authority...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister and to noble Lords who have supported the amendment. This matter has arisen in the past and is perhaps not of concern now, but it was raised with me not just by the International League for the Protection of Horses but by...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister and to noble Lords who have supported the amendment. This matter has arisen in the past and is perhaps not of concern now, but it was raised with me not just by the International League for the Protection of Horses but by...

My Lords, I also spoke on this issue in Committee, when we discussed in depth caught wild birds and primates. While I have sympathy with the ethos behind the amendment, it seems to me that paragraphs (a),(b),(c),(d) and (e) of Clause 9(2) would cover the matter. Surely anybody having to...

My Lords, I also spoke on this issue in Committee, when we discussed in depth caught wild birds and primates. While I have sympathy with the ethos behind the amendment, it seems to me that paragraphs (a),(b),(c),(d) and (e) of Clause 9(2) would cover the matter. Surely anybody having to...

My Lords, before the noble Baroness continues her reply, in my comments on her amendment, I repeated that we had grave concerns about caught wild birds and those concerns have not gone away; but it is a question of how you then deal with them. I told her that, on...

My Lords, before the noble Baroness continues her reply, in my comments on her amendment, I repeated that we had grave concerns about caught wild birds and those concerns have not gone away; but it is a question of how you then deal with them. I told her that, on...

My Lords, perhaps I may speak briefly and I will not be incorrect again. I just wish to say that if a point is raised by a fellow Peer which misleads the House, I thought that it was possible to correct that.

My Lords, perhaps I may speak briefly and I will not be incorrect again. I just wish to say that if a point is raised by a fellow Peer which misleads the House, I thought that it was possible to correct that.

My Lords, we, too, look favourably on the amendment. As the noble Baroness, Lady Miller of Chilthorne Domer, knows, in Committee I moved an amendment totally to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Obviously things have moved on since then. We are lucky in that time has passed...

My Lords, we, too, look favourably on the amendment. As the noble Baroness, Lady Miller of Chilthorne Domer, knows, in Committee I moved an amendment totally to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Obviously things have moved on since then. We are lucky in that time has passed...

moved Amendment No. 40A: Page 29, line 17, at end insert- ““( ) Where a person, other than a state Veterinary Inspector is to be appointed under this section, that person will not present evidence without the approval of that evidence by a State Veterinary Inspector.”” The noble Baroness said:...

moved Amendment No. 40A: Page 29, line 17, at end insert- ““( ) Where a person, other than a state Veterinary Inspector is to be appointed under this section, that person will not present evidence without the approval of that evidence by a State Veterinary Inspector.”” The noble Baroness said:...

My Lords, on our behalf and that of my noble friend Lord Soulsby, I thank the Government for looking at these amendments. I would like the House to know that my noble friend has a hospital appointment, so cannot be here today. I remind the House of my own farming...

My Lords, on our behalf and that of my noble friend Lord Soulsby, I thank the Government for looking at these amendments. I would like the House to know that my noble friend has a hospital appointment, so cannot be here today. I remind the House of my own farming...

My Lords, I am sorry but I am replying to the noble Baroness. Am I not allowed to?

My Lords, I am sorry but I am replying to the noble Baroness. Am I not allowed to?

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister. As I explained to noble Lords, we had intended to raise this in Committee. It is one of the issues I raised when we had a chance to meet the Minister and his team, but perhaps they did not fully understand what...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister. As I explained to noble Lords, we had intended to raise this in Committee. It is one of the issues I raised when we had a chance to meet the Minister and his team, but perhaps they did not fully understand what...

My Lords, I am grateful for that clarification. I am glad to have it on the record. The Minister has kindly offered to talk to us again, so I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Schedule 2 [Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary]:

My Lords, I am grateful for that clarification. I am glad to have it on the record. The Minister has kindly offered to talk to us again, so I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Schedule 2 [Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary]:

moved Amendment No. 14: Page 8, line 29, at end insert- ““( ) Regulations promoting the welfare of animals under subsection (1) may only be made if the appropriate national authority is satisfied, on the basis of scientific evidence in the public domain, that those regulations are necessary to promote...

moved Amendment No. 14: Page 8, line 29, at end insert- ““( ) Regulations promoting the welfare of animals under subsection (1) may only be made if the appropriate national authority is satisfied, on the basis of scientific evidence in the public domain, that those regulations are necessary to promote...

My Lords, slightly tongue in cheek I accept what the noble Lord says; he has been in this House a lot longer than me. However, I think that negotiations will take place following this. At this stage, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 11...

My Lords, slightly tongue in cheek I accept what the noble Lord says; he has been in this House a lot longer than me. However, I think that negotiations will take place following this. At this stage, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 11...

My Lords, I understand that, but the Minister has made us an offer, if I can describe it as that—it seems a dreadfully rude expression to use in your Lordships’ House. Perhaps negotiations could carry on, which is why I referred to it.

My Lords, I understand that, but the Minister has made us an offer, if I can describe it as that—it seems a dreadfully rude expression to use in your Lordships’ House. Perhaps negotiations could carry on, which is why I referred to it.

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining his amendments. We are very pleased to support them, and to support Amendments Nos. 15 and 25 in particular, which put a duty on the national authority to consult. The Minister asked when any regulation had been rejected. I believe...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining his amendments. We are very pleased to support them, and to support Amendments Nos. 15 and 25 in particular, which put a duty on the national authority to consult. The Minister asked when any regulation had been rejected. I believe...