To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) how he is liaising with local councils to ensure the proper application of animal welfare rights and policy; (ii) how performance, and the application of legislation and policy by animal welfare officers is monitored and assessed; and (iii) whether there are plans to strengthen animal welfare laws to counter increasing instances of animal cruelty.

My Department liaises regularly with local councils to discuss the direction of animal welfare policy and any potential legislative developments. However, the implementation and enforcement of non-farmed animal welfare remains the statutory responsibility of each council and they are best placed to determine how this function should be discharged to meet the specific requirements of their region.

I am acutely aware of the calls for reform of animal welfare in Northern Ireland and I will be considering options in the time ahead, to determine what is needed, and what is deliverable, within the remainder of this mandate.