Written question WQ88352

My officials work closely with the Animal Welfare Licencing Wales Team to support significant measures to ensure high welfare standards dog breeding establishments in Wales. These include tackling barriers to enforcement of existing regulations and increasing the capacity of Local Authorities to investigate reports of illegal breeding. Dog breeding is a legitimate business. Using the term 'puppy farm' is not helpful to those breeders striving to improve the reputation of the industry in Wales. Local Authorities hold the records detailing the numbers of licenced dog breeders in their areas.