Buried on page 43 of The Bateson report is a vitally important key statement: 'Already a considerable body of legislation exists in the animal welfare area and I am aware of the costs, both in Parliamentary time and in financial resource, that are required to make new legislation or amend existing statutes.
I am also aware of the “Better Regulation” agenda and have sought to make my recommendations compliant with its objectives – not least because I agree that positive incentives, self-regulation and education are more effective, more resource efficient and more flexible tools than formal regulation. Hence, all the changes mentioned above can be achieved without resource to amending the statute book'.
We are delighted that Professor Bateson has recognised this to be the case, for although Our Dogs has always said that there is more than enough on the statute book and in the pipeline (he has sensibly suggested that any regulation or clarification of existing law required can be developed through the secondary legislation embedded in the Animal Welfare Act 2006) there can be little doubt that other than the Kennel Club and a couple of others, most of those organisations which made a contribution to the enquiry will have been pressing for increased government, police and local powers.
On its own, this paragraph of the report shows an understanding of the complexities of the problem – as distinct from the over simplified solutions put forward by so many commentators – and led us to believe that the rest of the report would be equally balanced and that the recommendations would be sensible. As our full review of the report shows, this has been the case and we suggest that anyone with an interest in pedigree dogs, whether they be breeders, exhibitors, judges or potential puppy purchasers should read it carefully. It brings the serious problems we know exist to the fore without exaggerating them and allowing them to spill over and affect other areas – at one point the report states:
'Action to avoid or reduce levels of inbreeding needs also to balance the competing priorities to breed away from breed specific disorders while preserving characteristics of the breed. The solutions therefore need to be breed specific. Some progress has been made in developing breeding strategies for certain breeds, but much remains to be done. Moreover, this task is exceedingly difficult for any breed society to undertake on its own, no matter how well motivated and informed. The best solution to identifying means of addressing issues is to establish a mixed discipline team (including the breed society, geneticists, veterinary surgeons and other relevant scientific specialists) to find the root cause of inherited problems and to develop solutions that are effective and practicable.'
Difficult
Note the phrasing: 'the competing priorities', the need to be 'breed specific', that 'some progress has been made', the task is 'exceedingly difficult for any breed society' and the requirement to 'develop solutions that effective and practical'. This report has been very carefully written and it seems to us that Professor Bateson and his team have actually listened to what has been said to them, tested the information, suggestions, comments and proposed solutions taking into account what is feasible and come to conclusions that most knowledgeable people will see as being reasonable, sensible and, above all, practical.
It is also pleasing to note that the shortcomings of the Accredited Breeder Scheme which our readers having been pointing out since its inception, were clearly identified by the report and 'prompt action' is urged on the Kennel Club to upgrade it. Those who understand the strategy and appreciate the KC's 'softly, softly, approach will realise this is easier said than done but progress has been made and the Report will give power to Clarge's Street's elbow despite, possibly, having a downside in alienating some of those who currently register puppies.
None of this is to say that all will agree on the best way forward. The Bateson Report makes a number of proposals, the most important of which is the establishment of an Advisory Council of Dog Breeding which is independent of the Kennel Club. There are sound seasons for this conclusion: under its current constitution, the Kennel Club despite its best efforts over many years and not just since Pedigree Dogs Exposed was aired, cannot be seen to be independent. It remains a private members club with a restricted membership, ignores the golden rule of democracy – no taxation without representation - so cannot, therefore properly represent those whose interest and sometimes livelihood, depends on its regulation and control. We have been saying for many years that real change must come to the way in which the world of dogs is governed. But change has been painfully slow and ineffective and there can be no doubt that Pedigree Dogs Exposed exploited the KC's democratic weakness.
Excellent work
At the same time we freely acknowledge that the work of the Kennel Club is difficult – we already knew that, of course but Professor Bateson has made it absolutely clear – and that much excellent work has been and is being done - though whether an Advisory Council of Dog Breeding is the answer is open to question. The Kennel Club has already anticipated the Report's recommendation and has formed the Dog Health Group, which recently replaced the former KC Breed Health and Welfare Strategy Group. It now has a broader remit and additional independent experts. This group includes canine and human geneticists, veterinary surgeons and an epidemiologist.
It is exactly the way one would have expected the KC to respond and is probably the best way forward but will not satisfy the major charities and NGOs such as the Council for Animal Welfare (CAWC), whose approach is almost entirely legislative. However, in our view, despite the suggestions as to how such an advisory council might be appointed, the structure of CAWC (many dedicated, lovely and concerned people) suggests that it will almost certainly not have the understanding and sensitivity required to make the sort of progress the Kennel Club is already making, for whatever our readers' personal view of the Kennel Club' actions, we have little doubt that those enthusiasts who resent the direction in which the KC is travelling would resent the demands of an independent advisory council very much more.
Finally we would commend the Bateson report for highlighting the importance of showing dogs as an effective element of improving health and welfare and emphasising, as we have for many years, that to condemn all pedigree dogs for the genetic or structural failing of the few is unreasonable and inaccurate.
Overall we believe that The Bateson Report is positive, is a largely accurate 'state of play' document and will provide a foundation for everyone in the world of dogs to build for a future where programmes such as PDE will not be made.
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