Animal Welfare Act 2006

13 Licensing or registration of activities involving animals

(1) No person shall carry on an activity to which this subsection applies except under the authority of a licence for the purposes of this section.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to an activity which—

(a) involves animals for which a person is responsible, and

(b) is specified for the purposes of the subsection by regulations made by the appropriate national authority.

(3) No person shall carry on an activity to which this subsection applies unless registered for the purposes of this section.

(4) Subsection (3) applies to an activity which—

(a) involves animals for which a person is responsible, and

(b) is specified for the purposes of the subsection by regulations made by the appropriate national authority.

(5) Regulations under subsection (2) or (4) may only be made for the purpose of promoting the welfare of animals for which a person is responsible, or the progeny of such animals.

(6) A person commits an offence if he contravenes subsection (1) or (3).

(7) The appropriate national authority may by regulations make provision about licences or registration for the purposes of this section.

(8) The appropriate national authority may by regulations repeal any of the following enactments (which impose licence or registration requirements in relation to activities involving animals)—

(a) section 1(1) of the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 (c. 38);

(b) section 1(1) of the Pet Animals Act 1951 (c. 35);

(c) section 1(1) of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 (c. 43);

(d) section 1(1) of the Riding Establishments Act 1964 (c. 70);

(e) section 1(1) of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 (c. 60).

(9) Before making regulations under this section, the appropriate national authority shall consult such persons appearing to the authority to represent any interests concerned as the authority considers appropriate.

(10) Schedule 1 (which makes provision about regulations under this section) has effect.