Stunell elected Chair of animal welfare group

12.41.22pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Mar 2008

Local MP Andrew Stunell has been elected as chair of the Pet Advisory Committee, a coalition of major national animal welfare charities, veterinary organisations, environmental health, local authority and trade associations.

Commenting on the new role, Mr Stunell said:

"As a long-term supporter of the animal welfare agenda, for endangered species and in agriculture in particular, it is a great honour to be named as Chair of the Pet Advisory Committee.

"The PAC is unique in bringing together a wide range of charities and NGOs and giving them a coherent voice in Government.

"It has built a reputation for considered and effective action, achieving its impact by skillful use of reason and hard evidence, not by resorting to flamboyant gestures."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Pet Advisory Committee (PAC) was established in 1974 as the Joint Advisory Committee on Pets in Society (JACOPIS), a title held until 1992.

2. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), PAC provides local government and other relevant bodies with a variety of public information leaflets on responsible dog ownership.

3. The PAC meets four times a year and discusses a whole range of issues affecting companion animals. In addition specialised working parties meet throughout the year and draw up detailed recommendations on policy issues, which are then communicated to national and local government. Currently there are three working parties established looking at Rabbit Welfare, Emergency Planning, and Pets and the Elderly.

4. For more information please see http://www.petadvisory.org.uk/index.php