Whether it will consider introducing legislation on pet vending to prohibit the sale of puppies in pet shops.

There are no immediate plans to consider secondary legislation on pet vending to prohibit the sale of puppies in pet shops. In the area of animal welfare we are currently concentrating on developing new legislation on the welfare of animals at slaughter that will implement EU legislation early next year. Other animal welfare issues currently under consideration include the use of wild animals in circuses, the regulation of equine establishments, the use of electronic shock collars for dog training and the tail docking of dogs. Pet shops are already subject to inspection by local authorities.