The status quo I am referring to is the state of regulation of the animal behaviour and training sector where those who advocate the use of positive punishment are countered by those who argue that such practices are harmful and unnecessary. Without a single regulator that is recognised by government that situation is not going to change because each time they review the situation one side says one thing and the other side says the opposite and both insist they are right. The government is obliged to listen to everybody and little changes as a result, that is democracy at work.

This situation has existed for the past 25 years and what we have is a wide selection of voluntary organisations claiming some form of regulatory role but none are currently in a position to be formally recognised by government.

It would appear to be a simple problem to solve as one side of the argument appear to be promoting treatment of animals that is in breach of the Animal Welfare Act and the other side are not. Unfortunately the part of the act that deals with suffering uses the word ‘unnecessary’ and proving that certain methods cause unnecessary suffering in legal terms is not at all easy in most cases. What the government are faced with is two factions making opposite cases so it is little wonder that nothing changes and harmful practices effectively get the green light to continue hurting animals.

There is a simple solution that will tip the balance of influence heavily in one direction and that is for one of these regulatory bodies to satisfy the requirements so that the government can recognise it as an authority on the subject. The key to achieving this is for that body to be accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) as advised by the Department for Business and Trade. UKAS is appointed by the government as the only National Accreditation Body and is recognised by the British government to assess the competence of organisations that provide certification services. It is also government policy to recommend the use of UKAS accredited conformity assessment services whenever this is an option.

There is only one such body in the animal behaviour and training sector that is anywhere near becoming UKAS accredited and that is the ABTC. Getting on board and supporting that move is the only way there is going to be any success in marginalising those who happily sacrifice animal welfare by punishing their animals in the name of training. Simply signing up to codes that do not permit such methods is applauded but in itself that is having little or no effect in the struggle to overcome bad practice, it is simply maintaining the status quo. The process of achieving UKAS accreditation by ABTC is already underway and progressing well. Once complete it will be the only scheme qualified to call the practitioners it represents ‘certified’ and the only body that the government can recognise in the animal behaviour and training sector.