Dogs left hungry by new bone law

BUTCHERS IN west Wales claim they have been totally confused by a new Ceredigion County Council ruling on bones for dogs.

Retailers have been told that they could be breaking EU law by giving customers the canine treats.

The council has written to shop owners about what it describes as new animal by-products regulations that restrict the supply of bones and trimmings set aside as waste, or for processing into pet food.

Pet owner Martin Swanson of Aberystwyth told BBC Cymru it was yet another “barmy EU directive”.

Aled Morgan, a fifth generation retailer, first thought the council‘s letter could bump up his waste disposal bill by £2000 a year.

But DEFRA has since told him that the directive does not apply to products handled like food for human consumption.

While he will not be able to supply bones out of the shop waste container, a customer who asks for purchased meat to be deboned will be able to take away the off cuts.