The Animal Welfare Bill has now completed all of its Parliamentary stages and received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006 - it is now the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The Animal Welfare Act marks a milestone in animal welfare legislation. It brings together and modernises welfare legislation relating to farmed and non-farmed animals, some of which dates from 1911. Among other things it introduces a duty on owners and keepers of all vertebrate animals - not just farmed animals - to ensure the welfare of animals in their care. It will mean that, where necessary, those responsible for the enforcement of welfare laws can take action if an owner is not taking all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of their animal, even if it is not currently suffering.
Key elements
The Animal Welfare Act will be the most significant animal welfare legislation for nearly a century. It will:
reduce animal suffering by enabling preventive action to be taken before suffering occurs
place on people who are responsible for domestic and companion animals a duty requiring them to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of their animals
extend the existing power to make secondary legislation to promote the welfare of farmed animals to non-farmed animals, bringing legislation for non-farmed animals in line with that for farmed animals (see proposals for secondary legislation)
deter persistent offenders by strengthening penalties and eliminating many loopholes in the current system. For example, those causing unnecessary suffering to an animal will face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine of up to £20,000, or both
simplify the legislation for enforcers and animal keepers by consolidating over 20 pieces of legislation into one
extend to companion animals welfare codes agreed by Parliament, a mechanism currently used to provide guidance on welfare standards for farmed animals
strengthen and amend current offences related to animal fighting
increase the effectiveness of law enforcement for animal welfare offences
increase from 12 to 16 the minimum age at which a child may buy an animal, and prohibit the giving of pets as prizes to unaccompanied children under the age of 16
ban mutilations of animals, with certain specified exemptions
DEFRA seem pretty sure it's been ratified but I know from other legislation I use in work there is normally a date set from whych it to officially take effect, to give people time to comply. This might be the April 7th date you mentioned.