The organisation is encouraging breeders to make their views heard to MPs via a downloadable template letter
Ahead of the second reading of The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill on 29 November, The Kennel Club is encouraging collective action from dog owners and breeders to ensure their views are heard.
The Bill is expected to include prohibitions on the import into the UK of puppies, kittens and ferrets under the age of six months as well as banning heavily pregnant animals and those with mutilations such as cropped ears.
The illegal importation of puppies presents significant welfare risks to dogs, and as such The Kennel Club welcomes the broad intent of the Bill and the benefit it will have on animal welfare, however it is concerned that, without certain provisions with regards to the six-month minimum import age, there could be damaging implications for the future health and genetic diversity of many breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, Lagotto Romagnolo and the Barbet.
As such, the organisation is calling for the Bill to introduce a tightly controlled mechanism which would allow responsible importers to continue to import puppies to improve and protect the health of our beloved dog breeds.
Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club said: “While the Bill is a positive and necessary step for animal welfare, we know many owners and breeders will be concerned by the six-month minimum import age, and what that might mean for the future of some our most beloved breeds, who are heavily reliant on the importation of new gene lines.
“We are continuing to lobby policymakers to ensure there is provision for a tightly controlled mechanism to allow breeders and importers, who can demonstrate the need, from a genetic diversity perspective, to import a single dog under six months of age.
“We also urge anyone affected to download our template letter, which is available on our website, to ensure their views are heard.”
The downloadable template letter is available on The Kennel Club’s website.