Member

On Amendment 152ZA, it is unnecessary to add a requirement that strategic planning authorities have regard to the effect of their proposed spatial development strategy on animal welfare. Animal welfare is not generally considered a strategic planning issue. Further, if a strategic planning authority felt that animal welfare issues were of strategic importance because of its area, it could consider policies relating to the use and development of land as it affects animal welfare under the terms of Clause 52, which will insert new Section 12D(4) into the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004—although I think such a conclusion seems unlikely. However, I will be happy to look at the non-legislative options the noble Baroness suggested, and I am sure my noble friend the Minister for Defra and I will be happy to meet with her to discuss those. Therefore, I kindly ask the noble Baroness not to press her amendment.