New penalty of £5,000 for animal health and welfare offences

New legislation will introduce the option to issue fixed penalty notices for a range of animal health and welfare related offences.

From 1 January, animal and livestock owners will face penalties of up to £5,000, with serious animal welfare offences still going through the courts.

A penalty notice gives an individual the opportunity to discharge liability from prosecution for an alleged criminal offence in exchange for a fee and correcting the issue.

They will be added to the existing portfolio of enforcement measures, such as warning letters, statutory notices and movement restrictions.