To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on delivery of the Animal Welfare Pathway - Advancing Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland 2025-27.

Mr Muir

As Minister, I am delighted to have recently published the consultation responses on and way forward for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens. That marks a significant milestone in my ongoing efforts to strengthen animal welfare protections in Northern Ireland. Working in partnership with councils, officials are progressing next steps to finalise and enact robust new legislation at the earliest opportunity. One of my other priorities is dog breeding. I keenly await the expert advisory group's final report, which is due next month. The group was tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of current dog-breeding regulations, and I am eager to examine its recommendations. I am fully committed to taking meaningful action, where possible, in the remainder of the mandate. Beyond that, I am actively considering further reforms contained in the pathway, including on dog licence fees, the banning of certain aversive training devices and the regulation of rescue and rehoming organisations. Those important measures will be brought together in an upcoming combined consultation that will also include a call for evidence on mandatory cat microchipping and proposals to improve current microchipping requirements for dogs. Progress is also being made on legislation to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses. That legislation is advancing through the necessary approval stages and will be introduced as soon as possible. I am pleased that tangible progress is being made. I am determined to deliver lasting improvements to animal welfare across Northern Ireland in the time remaining in the mandate.

Mr Muir

Thank you, Paula. The legislation has been drafted and is being reviewed in conjunction with the Departmental Solicitor's Office (DSO). It is a complex policy that is specifically designed for Northern Ireland, and it is crucial that councils with responsibility for enforcement are given the chance to provide further feedback on the implementation of the proposals. Therefore, the focus is now on engaging with councils to discuss implementation. I recognise that councils require time to prepare and, in particular, set up the necessary IT systems to deliver the public register. My officials meet regularly with councils. However, a dedicated implementation group is being established to determine appropriate timelines for introducing the legislation to ensure that the councils are ready. In tandem with that, my officials are preparing to secure necessary approvals for the legislation as soon as reasonably practical.

Mr K Buchanan

Minister, I am glad to see that you have taken the mantle on from me and, previously, my colleague Robin Newton. I commend Robin for getting this work to where it is now. His vision has now left you, so the mantle is on you, and there are lots of eyes on you: big eyes, small eyes, doggy/puppy eyes etc. Minister, with respect to the regulation of rescue homes etc, can you put a little more meat on the bones of that? Where do you see that going more broadly? What do you think needs to happen in that sector?

Mr Muir

Thank you. Robin did good work on this, and it is important that we are able to take this forward. When it comes to the regulation of the rescue and rehoming sector, officials are undertaking further policy development, looking at impact assessments and doing policy analysis. I am due to receive a submission on the final policy position for consideration and clearance very soon, and, subject to ministerial agreement, there will be engagement with the rescue and rehoming sector and with councils on content and direction. Thereafter, there will be a consultation. It is a complex area, and I thank officials for the work that they are doing. Hopefully, we will be able to consult on this in the time ahead.