T6. Mr Chambers asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he has considered amending the animal welfare legislation to remove the unnecessary suffering exemption in relation to hunting with dogs. (AQT 406/22-27)

I thank the Member for his question. As I said, we will enter into a co-design process with animal welfare organisations in the time ahead, and I am keen to discuss all of that. I am also aware that my colleague sitting beside me, John Blair, did excellent work on the issue through his private Member's Bill. I hope that he is able to bring it back to the House, and I hope that Members are able to support it, because it is long past time that we outlawed that barbaric practice in Northern Ireland. Whether it is by John or by me, we will take action on it, because Northern Ireland should be ashamed of what has happened in our past on the issue.

Does the Minister agree that, if section 53(1) of the current legislation were removed, that would remove the need for new legislation?

I am happy to consider that, but I am also happy to hear the views of other parties. Many Members talk about their commitment to animal welfare, but, when they were voting on the Bill in the previous mandate, they did not match that talk with action.