asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the Zoonoses (Monitoring) (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/2399), whether any inspector who marks an animal will either use a non-invasive method or hold a veterinary qualification; and whether the same will be true of any inspector who takes a sample from a wild animal. [HL918]

Under the Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations 2007, an inspector means any person appointed to be an inspector for the purposes of these regulations by the Secretary of State or a local authority. This person would not necessarily have to be a veterinary surgeon. Defra ensures that inspectors required to mark any animal, whether for research or as part of a monitoring programme, are properly trained. Most animal marking techniques used in monitoring (such as paint spraying) are non-invasive. A frequently used invasive method, ear tagging, is straightforward and can be performed by farm operators or trained animal health staff. Any use of such methods would need to comply with animal welfare legislation.

To ensure full protection for wild animals, Regulation 6 of the Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations 2007 makes Natural England a statutory consultee. Natural England is a non-departmental public body which can advise on the impact of monitoring and survey work on the wild animal populations. This includes the practicalities in relation to wild animal control and protection, sampling of animals and application of any marks. Animal welfare would be an important consideration.