Following a series of reports into dog health over the last year, culminating with Professor Bateson’s Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding in January 2010, the Kennel Club and other key stakeholders met on 23 February to discuss how to take the recommendations forward.

Professor Sheila Crispin, who chaired the meeting, said: “In a highly constructive meeting stakeholders welcomed the three Reports and there was broad acceptance of the thrust of the recommendations.

“A key action agreed was for the formation of an Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding. A proposal will be prepared for submission to Ministers. There was also unanimity on the major issues to be addressed:

• Education and publicity
• Legislation and regulation
• Breeding strategies
• Surveillance, research and development

“The many actions already in hand to address these issues were noted and it was agreed that future work would build on these initiatives through collaboration.

“The stakeholders also welcome the interest shown by Defra and the devolved administrations.”

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