Animal Welfare Bill

I do not want to mislead the noble Baroness, but I would be very happy to accept her amendment if no legislation was already on the statute book to cover this point. I obviously entirely accept the spirit of what she and the noble Lord have said. The Animal Health Act 1981 gives Ministers the power to make such orders as they think fit for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease in any way. The 2002 Act, which amends the 1981 Act, also requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance on the appropriate biosecurity measures to be taken in relation to foot and mouth disease and other diseases as specified in the order. General guidance has also been issued that applies to all premises with farm animals and to all exotic diseases. If there was a biosecurity threat, which required measures to be taken over and above those contained in that guidance, those measures could be introduced under the Animal Health Act. It is therefore unnecessary to put into the Bill the general requirement proposed by the amendments. It goes without saying that any person, such as an inspector or a constable, entering premises for the purpose of enforcing the provisions should be fully aware of the need to observe sensible biosecurity measures and to do nothing that might put the health of the animals at risk. Obviously they are entering the premises for welfare purposes but, as I say, legislation is already on the statute book. If anyone can find any areas for which the legislation is thought not to be sufficient, we will consider the matter further, because this is an important point from which we have all, I hope, learnt lessons. We believe that the necessary legislation and codes of practice are already there, so I thank the noble Baroness for tabling the amendment, but I hope that she will not pursue it.