Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department has taken any recent steps towards a legislative ban on the sale of aversive training tools for domestic animals.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation on several animal welfare policy reforms in Northern Ireland, including proposals to ban the use of specific aversive training devices such as electric shock collars, prong collars and choke collars. Restricting the sale of these devices would not prevent access through online, UK or crossborder supply, whereas regulating their use provides a clearer and more enforceable mechanism to safeguard animal welfare. The consultation closes on 30 June, and I will decide next steps once all responses have been considered.
ENDS
Your MLA 