Consultation on Proposed Animal Welfare Policy Reforms in Northern Ireland

Overview

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to animal welfare policy in Northern Ireland.

Following stakeholder engagement that highlighted the need to modernise elements of the existing animal welfare framework and strengthen protections, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, set out priority areas for reform, as published in the Animal Welfare Pathway- Advancing Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland 2025-27.

The consultation seeks views on proposed changes across four key policy areas:

• the regulation of rescue and rehoming organisations;
• an inflationary increase in dog licence fees;
• a ban on specific aversive training devices; and
• strengthened microchipping requirements for dogs.

Additionally, the consultation includes a call for evidence on the mandatory microchipping of pet cats.

Full details of the proposals are set out in the consultation document.

The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest in animal welfare, including stakeholders working within the animal welfare sector; local councils with responsibility for enforcement of companion animal welfare; members of the public; and any individuals or organisations involved in animal rescue and rehoming.

DAERA encourages all interested parties to participate in this consultation to help inform meaningful and proactive action to further strengthen and protect animal welfare across Northern Ireland.

What happens next

Following analysis of feedback received, the Department will publish a summary of the responses. Subject to the nature of those responses and Ministers’ consideration, the Department will set out a proposed way forward on the proposals. Evidence provided in relation to mandatory microchipping of pet cats will further be used to inform a way forward.