To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on progress made on the Animal Welfare Pathway 2025-27.

Mr Muir

Animal welfare remains one of my key priorities, and I am pleased that work is continuing at pace to take forward the reforms contained in my animal welfare pathway. In terms of progress to date, legislation on mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses has been drafted, and steps are being taken to secure the necessary approvals. The consultation response document on Lucy's law and my agreement on next steps for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens will be published shortly. Following that, I will be asking officials to progress the laying and making of the legislation. I am determined that that policy and its implementation will have a positive impact on the lives of pups and kittens in Northern Ireland. In addition, the expert review of dog-breeding regulations is due in early April, with a further report from the group, on canine fertility clinics, due in June. I will review all recommendations provided to me before deciding on next steps. I am committed to making progress in that area, where feasible, during this shortened mandate. On communications, I am pleased that a responsible dog ownership and animal welfare social media campaign was launched last August and is being delivered in conjunction with councils. Finally, my officials are continuing to work on a consultation, to be launched before the summer, on the remaining proposed reforms outlined in the pathway. This will include an exploration of a ban on aversive training devices; proposals for an increase in dog licence fees; regulation of rescue and rehoming, dog microchipping enhancements; and a call for evidence on the potential introduction of mandatory cat microchipping.

Mr Muir

I thank the Member for his question. We are the only part of the UK that does not have mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, so I was glad to get agreement from the Executive last week to progress such legislation. We will engage with the Committee on the issue so that we can legislate for it and bring it in as a requirement in the short time ahead.

Mr Buckley

The Minister says that animal welfare is one of his key priorities, but how does that stand up to scrutiny when we continue to see thousands of otherwise happy and healthy dairy cows and other cattle being sent to slaughter because of positive TB reactions? Will the Minister deal with the wildlife issue and ensure that those animals have the welfare status that they deserve?

Mr Muir

As I outlined earlier, I was glad that we agreed a blueprint for the way forward on the issue on the basis of three pillars: people, cattle and wildlife. It is important that we take action on the matter. I will consult on wildlife interventions this spring, and I encourage people to respond to that consultation and give feedback. We need to take learnings from the previous intervention that was announced, which was successfully judicially reviewed.