A new law has been introduced that will allow for the issuance of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £5,000 for a range of animal health and welfare offences.

The new legislation comes into effect on 1st January 2024 and will apply to offenses such as animals living in poor environments, repeated overdue bovine TB testing, breaching of avian influenza housing orders, or animal breeders operating without a license.

Serious animal welfare offences will still be prosecuted, but the FPNs will provide an additional enforcement tool for animal welfare and biosecurity issues.

Defra says that advice and guidance will remain the primary enforcement tool, but that FPNs will provide another option for dealing with minor offenses.

Animal welfare and biosecurity minister Douglas-Miller has welcomed the introduction of the FPNs, saying that they will help to protect animals and encourage compliance with the law.

He also says that the new legislation will give animal keepers the opportunity to correct any issues before they are prosecuted.