News and updates

From DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee
25-10-2024

Government Legislation & POCTAA (Puppy Farming) Bill 2024

As members were advised yesterday (24 October 2024) in the DOGS NSW Special Notice the (POCTAA Bill) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Bill 2024 was introduced in NSW Parliament by the Hon. Tara Moriarty (Minister for Agriculture).

The Bill will be debated in Parliament at the next sitting which will be 12 November 2024.

Members who have concerns in areas in the Bill should lobby their State Members over the next two weeks.

Please CLICK HERE to view the Proposed Bill.

Please CLICK HERE to view The Hon. Tara Moriarty Speech / POCTAA Amendment (Puppy Farming) Bill 2024.

DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee Involvement

DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee has met and made several representations to the Office of the Department of Primary Industries and attended a face-to-face meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, advising how DOGS NSW members are breeders under our Code of Ethics.

In this Government Media Release, the areas of concern to DOGS NSW are:-
•    the determination of a “fertile female” at the age of 6 months
•   the proposed legislation numerically places a cap on breeders of 20 “fertile females” per premise, so young females that are not eligible for breeding would be counted in the number of allowed “fertile females”.
•   Staff numbers would also be introduced, eg, one staff carer for every 20 adult dogs.

DOGS NSW Representatives at all times, have firmly refused to accept calling a female a “fertile female” at the age of 6 months, as many breeders run on pups from a litter in order to assess the better quality and to health test at the ages required within our Code of Ethics - they cannot be considered a breeding female under our DOGS NSW Code of Ethics.

It will be mandatory for all breeders to apply for a BIN (breeder identification number).  This will place the breeder on a Breeder Register under the Pet Registry.  

Commercial breeding over the above numerical limit will not be permitted. Current breeders who have over 20 fertile females will have 10 years to have the number reduced to the 20 (under an exemption request).  There is no exemption for commercial breeding on already approved, existing, premises that have complied with local Government requirements (except to reduce the numbers to 20 within 10 years).

Please CLICK HERE to view DOGS NSW Media Release to the proposed Bill.

@dogsnsw