Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill

Earl of Shrewsbury Excerpts

Friday 5th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Shrewsbury (Con)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of the Countryside Alliance, a retired member of the National Farmers’ Union, a former member of the National Sheep Association and a retired sheep farmer, and I own a working dog. I think that clears that little problem up.

It is a great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lord Hart of Tenby. I congratulate him on an excellent maiden speech, delivered with great authority and knowledge about the subject. He is a former CEO of the Countryside Alliance, and his knowledge about and experience of the countryside—its activities and wider rural issues—is frankly vast. In addition, he brings to your Lordships’ House his considerable political experience, having served as Chief Whip in the House of Commons, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Wales. I am delighted to say that he is a fellow Staffordian man. I know that the whole House will benefit from listening to his words of wisdom for many years to come. However, with the sword of Damocles hanging over me and my fellow hereditaries, we have sadly been robbed of the ability to share in that experience. That will be our considerable loss. I wish my noble friend well and offer him my congratulations.

I also congratulate my noble friend Lady Coffey on supporting the Bill in this House and my honourable friend Aphra Brandreth, whose Bill it is, on sponsoring it in the other place. From a livestock farmer’s point of view, it is high time that the 1953 Act be brought up to date to suit the much-changed conditions that livestock farmers experience in these modern days. I am elated that this Bill received cross-party support in the other place and has the support of His Majesty’s Government. For that I thank the Minister, who I know is very supportive of all rural issues.

The cost of sheep worrying for farmers is very considerable, but the impact of stress on animals is simply unacceptable, as is the emotional strain placed on farmers and their families and employees from such incidents. The majority of dog owners who exercise their pets in the countryside behave in a very responsible manner, treating livestock and property with due respect. It is so sad that we must legislate to deter and prevent the small minority who do not behave, but it is essential.

This Bill is a golden opportunity to widen the scope of the 1953 Act. I agree especially with the new powers in Clause 4 and the suggestions of the BVA and the RSPCA. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers that the definition of worrying should be

“extended to all farmed livestock and to not just include the actions by dogs but also worrying by humans”.

I say that because I live in the Staffordshire moorlands, close to the Peak District, and have witnessed on numerous occasions at first hand such sheep worrying by humans. I strongly support this Bill and wish it well on its passage through your Lordships’ House.