PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE LIST MODEL METHODOLOGY FOR EU MEMBER STATES

Currently a wide range of vertebrate species are kept as pet or companion animals. Recent work by SRUC and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC)identified that for many of these species there is very little evidence as to the animal's welfare requirements, health needs and the risks to public health from zoonotic disease for many of these species. In many EU countries, and as recommended by SAWC, options to develop a 'positive list' are being explored, which provides a list of species that are considered suitable as pets, with other species being banned from pet ownership.

The aim of this work is to develop a model methodology for creating positive lists of suitable pet species that is both scientifically sound and legally robust. The purpose of the methodology is to produce lists of species that are safe and suitable to be kept as a pet by the average person within an ordinary domestic setting. The keeping of species on such lists would be consistent with the good health and welfare of the animals, human health and biodiversity conservation.

The project will comprehensively review existing methodologies before devising an assessment framework that is both practical and cost-efficient to use. At each stage of development, we will seek legal input to ensure the methodology is compliant with European legislation. The assessment system will be rigorously tested, subjected to external evaluation and refined accordingly. Sufficient guidance in the form of a manual and training materials will be produced to accompany the methodology. A wireframe and flow diagram of an online system will also be produced to demonstrate how the system could be digitised and automated.