Promotion of welfare
I1I212Regulations to promote welfare
1
The appropriate national authority may by regulations make such provision as the authority thinks fit for the purpose of promoting the welfare of animals for which a person is responsible, or the progeny of such animals.
2
Without prejudice to the generality of the power under subsection (1), regulations under that subsection may, in particular—
a
make provision imposing specific requirements for the purpose of securing that the needs of animals are met;
b
make provision to facilitate or improve co-ordination in relation to the carrying out by different persons of functions relating to the welfare of animals;
c
make provision for the establishment of one or more bodies with functions relating to advice about the welfare of animals.
3
Power to make regulations under subsection (1) includes power—
a
to provide that breach of a provision of the regulations is an offence;
b
to apply a relevant post-conviction power in relation to conviction for an offence under the regulations;
c
to make provision for fees or other charges in relation to the carrying out of functions under the regulations;
d
to make different provision for different cases or areas;
e
to provide for exemptions from a provision of the regulations, either subject to specified conditions or without conditions;
f
to make incidental, supplementary, consequential or transitional provision or savings.
4
Power to make regulations under subsection (1) does not include power to create an offence triable on indictment or punishable with—
a
imprisonment for a term exceeding 51 weeks, or
b
a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
5
Regulations under subsection (1) may provide that a specified offence under the regulations is to be treated as a relevant offence for the purposes of section 23.
6
Before making regulations under subsection (1), the appropriate national authority shall consult such persons appearing to the authority to represent any interests concerned as the authority considers appropriate.
7
In this section, “specified” means specified in regulations under subsection (1).