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<p>The Government has already taken significant steps to improve the welfare of domestic
and other animals. The Animal Health and Welfare Framework has been produced to help
county councils, unitary authorities and metropolitan boroughs in England deliver
their statutory duties in relation to the health and welfare of farmed animals. Published
in May 2021, our Action Plan for Animal Welfare sets out an ambitious programme of
future reforms which will strengthen our position as a world leader in this field.</p><p>
</p><p>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations
2018 were developed to help improve standards and enforcement across a range of animal
activities licensed by local authorities; for example, modernising the regulation
of dog breeding, pet selling and animal boarding. Local authorities are responsible
for enforcing the requirements of licenses in these areas and have access to appropriately
trained officers. Statutory guidance aims to improve consistency with the interpretation
and application by local authorities of the regulatory regime across England. Ultimately,
however, it is for local authorities themselves to decide how best to use the powers
of inspection and licensing available to implement the regime and deal with individual
cases.</p>
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