Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill
(1 day, 5 hours ago)
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Baroness Coffey (Con)
My Lords, the farming community will be delighted that so many Peers are here for the Third Reading of this important Bill. Livestock worrying has devastating consequences for both animals and farmers, and it can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal. There are instances of stress causing pregnant livestock to miscarry, and separation of mothers and their young, leading to hypothermia and starvation. This modest Bill will modernise the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, ensuring it reflects the needs of modern-day farming. It will strengthen police powers so they can do their job more effectively, giving them powers of entry and allowing them to seize and detain dogs and collect evidence. At the moment, collecting evidence tends to rely on the good will of the owners of the suspected dog.
I was contacted this week by the noble Baroness, Lady Mallalieu, who I see is in her place, about a concern passed on to her—that the word “paths” in Clause 1(a) might be interpreted as referring only to footpaths, bridleways or similar. It is important to make it clear that “paths” had its ordinary meaning, and I intend to do that. Anyone who has driven on country roads will know that farmers move livestock. The Bill specifically extends the scope of the provisions so that they do not apply only to a field a farmer may own or where livestock are kept; it recognises that agricultural practices often involve animals being transferred from one field to another. The current legislation does not apply where animals are crossing a road and a dog is out of control, or in other sections that are not a specific field. In recognition of that, the Bill includes roads and paths as locations where an offence may take place. That will give farmers greater reassurance when moving livestock. I understand that “paths” will have its ordinary meaning. I hope that reassures the noble Baroness, and I am sure the Minister will confirm that in her response.
This Bill originally started two years ago, in December 2023, when I took it through the Commons as an MP. My noble friend Lord Colgrain stood ready last year to take it through this House, and then the election was called. I want to thank the new Defra Ministers, who recognised the importance of this issue and ensured it became a government hand-out Bill. That has allowed it a good passage. In particular, I thank Aphra Brandreth, who picked up the Bill shortly after becoming a newly elected MP in Cheshire and who navigated it through the Commons. I thank the NFU and all those who made multiple representations from right around the country. I particularly thank the officials from Defra, who have been working on this for a considerable time. This Bill is a straightforward way to make sure we help our farmers, whose primary role is to grow food to put on our plates. They should not be worrying, literally, about other people’s animals worrying their livestock. I beg to move.
Lord Colgrain (Con)
My Lords, before there are any Front-Bench responses, I would like to add my thanks to your Lordships’ House and the other place for the speed and constructive nature of the passage of this Bill. As I said at Second Reading, I have borne personal witness to horrible dog attacks on sheep, for which this Bill will make dog owners more accountable. The farming community is facing strong headwinds at the moment, and this small and seemingly innocuous Bill will provide, when it receives Royal Assent, the best possible Christmas present to all livestock owners.
Baroness Mallalieu (Lab)
I would like to add my voice to praise the noble Baroness, who has pursued this Bill for some considerable time, and to express gratitude both to her and to the Minister for allowing it to pass. From grateful sheep owners and dog owners everywhere: thank you.
The Earl of Effingham (Con)
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, the first female Deputy Prime Minister in British history, for her work on the Bill, which embodies the steadfast Conservative commitment to farmers. We should also flag the many organisations that have campaigned for and been instrumental in delivering reform in this area. His Majesty’s loyal Opposition is fully supportive of the Bill, which is a long overdue update to the law and of genuine benefit to rural communities such as the one that I live in.
The Bill will, among other measures, extend the powers available to the police to enforce the law against incidents of livestock worrying. With an estimated 34,000 such incidents every year across England and Wales, this issue is of key concern, not only because of the significant financial costs but because of the distress it causes to farmers, who truly care for the animals in their keep and who have to bear both the emotional and monetary scars.
The Bill also includes new protection for the 45,000 alpacas and llamas, whose UK population continues to grow. They will now be afforded the same protections as other livestock under the 1953 Act. By enhancing powers of enforcement, encouraging responsible dog ownership and securing justice for those negatively impacted, the Bill delivers for both farmers and their livestock. We commend the Bill to your Lordships’ House, and we look forward to seeing it complete its final stages.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Baroness Hayman of Ullock) (Lab)
My Lords, I am very grateful to all noble Lords for their contributions and support for the Bill during its passage through the House. I particularly thank the honourable Member for Chester South and Eddisbury for introducing this very important Bill in the other place—and, of course, the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, for successfully guiding the Bill through this House, and for keeping at it.
I am pleased that, as we have heard, the Bill makes important changes to strengthen police powers and increase fines as a deterrent, as well as expanding the law’s scope to include incidents on camelids. On roads and paths, the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, mentioned that she had received an email from my noble friend Lady Mallalieu. To clarify, the ordinary meanings of “road” and “path” are broad. We would expect the courts to interpret “road” or “path” broadly to include things like tracks, so that they do not have the narrow meaning the noble Baroness was concerned about.
The passing of the Bill is clearly important for our farmers and their livestock. Its strength and provisions will send a clear message that livestock worrying is a serious offence, and that responsible dog owners must be accountable. The provisions will serve as a deterrent but also restore confidence among farmers and members of rural communities, many of whom live in fear of the devastating impact of such incidents on their livelihoods and the welfare of their animals. The Bill is a truly meaningful step forward in our commitment to animal welfare and to those who work tirelessly to sustain our agricultural sector. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have.