Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee to discuss tail docking

The Assembly’s Environment Planning and Countryside Committee will hold its next meeting at Principality House, The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire on Thursday March 1^st.   Guest of honour at the meeting will be Oddie, a working dog from South Wales Police who will demonstrate his skills as a drugs and explosives dog, as part of an evidence session on the docking of working dogs’ tails. Oddie, a Labrador, will be accompanied by his handler Sgt Alan Hubbard. The Committee will hear evidence from:

• the Police Federation;
• the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales;
• the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Wales;
• the RSPCA; and
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The committee will also discuss the Dairy Strategy Consultation with Eifion Hughes, of the FUW, and Dai Davies, President NFU Cymru and re-examine Tir Mynydd payments. Also on the agenda is a discussion on Welsh Assembly Government Horticulture Strategy which will include an optional tour of the garden’s horticultural attractions and presentations on Tir Gofal and the garden’s environment projects. Glyn Davies AM, Chair of the Committee, said: “There are many important issues on our very full agenda for the meeting at the Botanic Garden. I am delighted that we are able to scrutinise the tail docking and mutilations regulations which the Minister is introducing as a result of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. We will be hearing evidence for and against before reaching our considered view. We have already heard from the supermarkets regarding the dairy strategy and now wish to hear the views of the farming unions. I am also looking forward to discussing the horticulture strategy, what better place than the National Botanic Garden to hold such a discussion!”   The meeting takes place in Paxton Room, Principality House, National Botanic Garden of Wales from 9.00am until 1.00pm on St David’s Day March 1st. Full details and an agenda To book a seat phone 0845 010 5500 or email assembly.bookings@wales.gsi.gov.uk Please let the booking office know of any special needs that you may have. Directions to the National Botanic Garden and details of public transport can be found on the attraction’s website: http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/