PLANS for every dog in Wales to be microchipped have received a lukewarm welcome from the agricultural industry.

Following a public consultation, the Welsh Government has announced that all dogs in Wales will be microchipped by March 2015.

However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) says a new law is unlikely to have a major impact on irresponsible dog owners.

FUW deputy director of policy Rhian Nowell-Phillips said: “Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, dogs are already required to be identifiable in public by wearing a collar and tag with the owner’s name and address. Irresponsible dog owners are as likely not to use a microchip as they would a collar, therefore the wider benefits of responsible dog ownership promoted by the Welsh Government may not materialise.”

Sheep worrying is an increasing problem in rural areas, as more people move to the countryside, so any measures which would help mitigate the problem are of great interest to the industry.

“Unfortunately, the union does not believe that compulsory microchipping will have any real impact on irresponsible dog owners who are unlikely to comply and so the decision whether or not to microchip should remain voluntary,” added Ms Nowell-Phillips.

“Less responsible dog owners will inevitably find their way around any legislation and it is for this reason the FUW believes that the promotion of good practice and highlighting the benefits of microchipping should be a priority over legislation.”

Of the estimated 450,000 dogs in Wales, it is estimated that some 58% are already microchipped. This means that there are approximately 190,000 dogs that would need to be microchipped prior to March 2015.