Animal health and welfare framework 2019 to 2020

This framework provides a risk based approach to animal health and welfare duties carried out by local authorities.


This framework was introduced to recognise the importance of central and local government working together.

It has been created in partnership between the Scottish Government, Convention of Scottish local authorities (COSLA), the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), the Society of the Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland (SOCOEHS), Local Government Regulation and Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA).

This framework incorporates the full range of animal health and welfare work carried out by local authorities (with the exception of licensing of animal establishments, and any expansion of this under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006).

The framework helps to meet the objectives of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain which recognises the benefits that enhanced animal health and welfare can bring in supporting industry profitability, promoting Scotland's reputation for quality and for improving the welfare of animals themselves. The framework will support the implementation of the strategy in Scotland by maintaining and improving standards in animal health and welfare.

Animal health and welfare framework 2019 to 2020
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