The Electronic Collars Manufacturer's Associations, (ECMA) has responded to yesterday's announcement that the Welsh Assembly plans to ban electric shock collars. Condemning the Welsh move as hasty, premature and unnecessary, the ECMA says that a recent survey of 350,000 owners of electronic collars found that over 95% say the devices have either saved the lives of their pets or made them a great deal safer, and have given pet owners peace of mind.

The ECMA says that, far from causing psychological damage, electronic training devices improve relationships between owner and pet.

The association believes that the Welsh Assembly proposal is based on a misreading of available science, some of which it says is biased by the prejudging attitude of researchers. Much of the available research is also limited in range and scope and has even been rejected by Defra.

ECMA quotes a Defra statement about shock collar regulation:

"While we are aware of a number of scientific studies on electric shock collars, Defra considers that to date those studies published in this area are not sufficiently robust and that the evidence base needs to be built on before consideration can be given to either banning or regulating their use. The government is not prepared to do this unless there is clear evidence that these devices in themselves are harmful to welfare".

ECMA believes that the Welsh Assembly Government should take a similar line. Duncan McNair, Spokesman for ECMA said yesterday:

"ECMA are both puzzled and disappointed by the decision to ban electronic training collars in Wales.

"The move denies the almost universal experience of owners of electronic training collars, who say that they bring enormous benefits to pet and owner and in many cases have saved animals lives."

Yesterday's announcement does not have any immediate effect. The sale, ownership and use of electronic training products remains legal until secondary legislation is implemented as law in Wales.

In response to yesterday's article on UKPets Robin MacFarlane, Executive Director of the US based Canine Political Action Corps said:

"Here in the states remote collars are used fairly routinely and we don't have mass incidents of abuse to our pets."

Meanwhile, the ECMA says it will engage fully in the Welsh consultation process and play a constructive role in supporting Welsh pet owners who have found the collars have given their pets a greater quality of life.

Submitted by: Steve O'Malley      

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roslynla
Well, in the interests of balance I\'ve read this company\'s argument - and am totally unconvinced. The collars ought to be banned - the sooner the better. There is no excuse whatsoever for keeping them

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