Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I am pleased to announce that draft Regulations which will require the compulsory microchipping of dogs in Wales have today been laid before the National Assembly for Wales for consideration. They are to be debated in Plenary on the 20th October.
In taking these draft Regulations forward, we submitted our draft Regulations along with the accompanying Regulatory Impact Assessment to Member States via the European Commission. A standstill period of three months was observed and no objections were raised by Member States or the European Commission.
We are now working to bring in the compulsory microchipping for all dogs in Wales in April 2016 (this is in line with the date announced for compulsory microchipping in England and Scotland).
My officials have worked closely with counterparts in England on cross-border issues because dogs are moved routinely between England and Wales. Also, given that providers of microchipping services work across Wales and England, there is a need to harmonise standards and to synchronise our work.
Animal welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government in line with the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework. It is firmly believed that compulsory microchipping will have a positive impact because the traceability of all dogs back to their owners - and ultimately back to the breeders - will help to encourage more responsible ownership.