I am just about to sign it.
From what i have heard, not all council/emergency depots have the facilities to scan animals.
The local Police here had a scanner, but they haven't had one now for about 4 years. Although they are supposed to have one, they don't right now (it's lost, apparently)
So if an animal is found by one of the emergency services in the middle of the night, you're still not guaranteed to be reunited with your beloved pet either!
I believe they should be mandatory in all public sectors.