Agenda item

(To receive a report from Mark Keal, Trading Standards Manager, Safer Communities, and Barbara Ward, Principal Trading Standards Officer, Safer Communities, on a review of the delivery of Animal Health & Welfare (AH&W) enforcement within the Trading Standards Service in Lincolnshire)

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Trading Standards Manager, Safer Communities, and the Principal Trading Standards Officer, Safer  Communities, on a review of the delivery of Animal Health & Welfare (AH&W) enforcement within the Trading Standards Service in Lincolnshire. County Councils, in England had a statutory duty to work with local communities to help them comply with laws that were aimed at preventing the spread of animal disease and protecting the welfare of animals. Work had been focused on the following areas: disease control; animal by-products; high risk activities such as transportation and markets and rendering plants; animal welfare such as failure to provide treatment and prevention of unnecessary suffering.

The report and presentation included details of the number of complaints and referrals relating to animal health and welfare, the number of inspections of premises, developing and maintaining officer competency and on regional and national collaborations.

The Trading Standards Service had developed a programme of enforcement based on the principles of an AH&W Framework Agreement to ensure that it was: responsive and accountable to local communities; focused on high risk activities to make best use of limited resources; recognition of  why national consistency was important for businesses, the public and to protect against animal disease; delivered controls in a way that supported European and international trade agreements; promoted collaborative working with other local authorities, delivery partners and industry.

Members considered the report and as part of the discussions the following points were made:

·         The Committee thanked the officers for the comprehensive and interesting report.

·         The Council had a statutory duty to investigate complaints regarding farm animals and the RSPCA would investigate complaints involving domestic animals. The Council had good relationships with partners and it was noted that the RSPCA would normally refer any complaints they received about farm animals to the appropriate Council.

·         The County Council had 22 qualified generalist officers with varied experience. Other neighbouring Councils may employ specialist officers.

·         The complaints received were from a mixture of sources including the public and other agencies. Information was on the County Council website on how to raise concerns.

·         It was unclear what the effect of Brexit would be on the service if there was no deal, however the service was continuing business as usual for now. It was possible that there may be changes regarding import/export regulations as well as to pet passports. Possible transportation delays following Brexit were another possibility. Once the situation was clearer then planning would commence and advice would be issued.

·         The service had adopted a mixture of announced and unannounced site visits largely depending on the previous history of the business. If issues were found then there would be regular follow up visits.

·         A Task Group was looking at the transportation to slaughter of pregnant animals and concerns would be raised with the industry to ensure checks on farms and on transport.

·         It was confirmed that there were regulations governing the transportation of animals in terms of feed, water and travelling conditions.

·         The majority of Lincolnshire was at present a low risk area for Bovine TB and there had been no planned badger culls to date although this situation was subject to change. Trading Standards were not involved in the licencing or enforcement of badger culls. Bovine TB was the greatest animal health threat that England faced today, and work was being prioritised in Lincolnshire to ensure that farmers and other livestock keepers were aware of, and compliant with, the ever changing rules and regulations.

·         In some areas of Lincolnshire badger carcasses were being tested for Bovine TB. In high risk areas, cattle were tested for Bovine TB before being transported and again 60-120 days after arriving at their destination. This gave assurance to members who had concerns about the transportation of livestock from high to low risk areas of the country.

·         It was confirmed that any vehicles used for the transportation of rendered materials should be leak proof and that any spillages should be reported to the Council and a possible breach of regulations would be investigated.

·         Wildlife parks were licensed by District Councils, however the County Council may undertake some inspections of premises, particularly as Animal By-Products were often used as feed.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and that the Animal Health and Welfare work being undertaken by Trading Standards be endorsed.