BVA welcomes Scottish Government’s introduction of compulsory microchipping for dogs
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and its Scottish Branch welcome the announcement from Richard Lochhead, Rural Affairs Secretary, that compulsory microchipping for all dogs will be introduced in Scotland from April 2016.
BVA and its Scottish Branch have consistently supported compulsory microchipping and are pleased that the Scottish Government has introduced a clear timetable following the strong support the new regulation received from its public consultation last year.
BVA also supports the Cabinet Secretary’s commitment to work towards a common approach with similar legislation being developed across the UK. BVA emphasises that it is crucial that microchips are only implanted by those trained to do so and that all databases should be properly coordinated with a single point of entry.
BVA President, John Blackwell, commented:
“We strongly welcome the introduction of compulsory microchipping in Scotland. It will help ensure that lost dogs can be reunited with their owners, which is a positive outcome that will affect many thousands each year. With a deadline set for introduction, the Scottish Government now has the time to work out the details of implementation before microchipping becomes compulsory – for example, it is essential that it is clear who can and cannot implant microchips. We also have to ensure that the details of implementation are effectively and positively communicated to members of the public. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Scotland and the Scottish Government to create a reliable and trusted system that works effectively for both dog owners and vets.”
Ronnie Soutar, BVA President Scotland Branch, commented:
“Our Scottish members will be delighted that the Scottish Government has now committed to a date to introduce compulsory microchipping for dogs. We will work with Richard Lochhead and his team over the next 12 months to spread the message to vets and their clients across Scotland about the introduction of these essential regulations in 2016, making sure that owners are well-prepared and know their responsibilities.”
