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1141254

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department is taking to increase collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Agency and veterinary regulatory authorities in other countries to tackle provision of fake pet passports and veterinary certificates for dogs being imported into the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	280926
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of illegal dog and puppy imports very seriously. This is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. Defra is working hard to tackle the problem through a comprehensive approach that seeks to target both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs.</p><p> </p><p>International engagement is one aspect of this approach. It takes place through Defra, with input from APHA intelligence and expertise. Under Article 26 of EU Regulation 1/2005 (on the protection of animals during transport and related operations), Defra notify Member States of the origin of the transporter where a welfare issue with an import has been identified. We send these to notify the Member State so that they can take remedial action to ensure that the transporter complies in future. The notifications include details of passports and certificates. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has written to her counterparts in countries where illegally imported dogs typically originate, including (most recently) her counterparts in Hungary and Serbia. The issue also continues to be raised and discussed at EU CVO meetings.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 15:38:28 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1195049

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many vehicles transporting dogs have entered the UK under the Balai Directive in each month from February 2019 to April 2020.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	46162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency is not able to provide data regarding this matter.</p><p> </p><p>Dogs entering the UK from the EU do so on an Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) issued via the Trade Control and Expert System.</p><p> </p><p>There is no requirement for the certifying veterinarian to add the vehicle registration to the ITAHC and there can be multiple vehicles per ITAHC. Usually, the vehicle registration is not entered onto the ITAHC when it is created because the certifying veterinarian will have no knowledge of which vehicle is going to be used. They can inspect the consignment at any time in the 48 hours prior to travel, so it is unlikely that the transport will have arrived when they are doing their inspection.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 21/05/2020 14:20:44 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1198833

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2020 to Question 46162 on Dogs: Imports, how many Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK in each month from February 2019 to May 2020.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	52515
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2020 answer text <p>Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is a European Commission system employed by EU member states to facilitate and record animal and animal product movements into and throughout the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The below data regarding the number of Intra-Trade Animals Health Certificates (ITAHCs) issued for dogs entering the UK was extracted from TRACES.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Month</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>ITAHCs issued</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Feb-19</p></td><td><p>2037</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mar-19</p></td><td><p>2393</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr-19</p></td><td><p>1895</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May-19</p></td><td><p>2244</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jun-19</p></td><td><p>1929</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul-19</p></td><td><p>2081</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aug-19</p></td><td><p>1954</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sep-19</p></td><td><p>2623</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oct-19</p></td><td><p>3244</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Nov-19</p></td><td><p>2287</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dec-19</p></td><td><p>2025</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jan-20</p></td><td><p>2580</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Feb-20</p></td><td><p>2373</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mar-20</p></td><td><p>1321</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr-20</p></td><td><p>660</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May-20</p></td><td><p>3220</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 08/06/2020 16:39:47 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1229044

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of dogs in the last 10 per cent of their pregnancy that have been illegally brought into the UK in 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Rotherham
	tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
	uin	81937
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2020 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) only holds records of pregnant dogs where other non-compliances were found at time of interception on entry to Great Britain. APHA does not record details of compliant animals which were pregnant at time of interception.</p><p> </p><p>According to APHA records, eight dogs were seized in 2020 under Council Regulation (EC) no 1/2005, Annex I, FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT, Chapter I, 2(c) ‘pregnant females for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed’. An additional 11 pregnant bitches not in their last 10% were seized in 2020.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 82454 question first answered 03/09/2020 15:47:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1229442

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of pregnant dogs illegally imported into the UK in 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
	uin	82454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2020 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) only holds records of pregnant dogs where other non-compliances were found at time of interception on entry to Great Britain. APHA does not record details of compliant animals which were pregnant at time of interception.</p><p> </p><p>According to APHA records, eight dogs were seized in 2020 under Council Regulation (EC) no 1/2005, Annex I, FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT, Chapter I, 2(c) ‘pregnant females for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed’. An additional 11 pregnant bitches not in their last 10% were seized in 2020.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 81937 question first answered 03/09/2020 15:47:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1231644

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK in each month from June 2020 to August 2020; and how many dogs were imported under PETS in the same period.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	85115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2020 answer text <p>The number of Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates (ITAHCs) issued for dogs entering the UK in June 2020 was 3,967, in July 2020 was 4,850 and in August 2020 was 3,916.</p><p> </p><p>The data for ITAHCs was extracted from the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) by searching for imports of canis familiaris. These figures cover all commercially imported dogs including commercial puppies, rescue dogs, research dogs and unaccompanied pets.</p><p> </p><p>TRACES is a European Commission system employed by EU member states to facilitate and record animal movements into and throughout the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The number of dogs entering Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme in June 2020 was 7,423 and in July 2020 was 5,423. Data for the number of dogs entering Great Britain in August 2020 is not yet available.</p><p> </p><p>The data regarding the Pet Travel Scheme is based on information provided by checkers employed by approved carriers of pet animals.</p><p> </p><p>This information is based on information provided by third party pet checkers and importers, exporters and authorities in EU countries recording data on the TRACES system. Figures may be amended as third parties submit new data.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 09/09/2020 13:14:59 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1231762

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure enforcement of the Live transport: welfare regulations to prevent pregnant dogs in their last 10 per cent of pregnancy from being imported into the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Rotherham
	tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
	uin	86062
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2020 answer text <p>We operate one of the most rigorous border-checking regimes in Europe. When animals are transported for a commercial purpose, their transportation must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare. The current EU Regulation which provides protection for animals during transport sets out those animals which are not considered fit for transport, and this includes those that are in the last 10% of gestation.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) takes an intelligence-led approach at the border aimed at disrupting the illegal trade in dogs. As part of this activity APHA identifies and acts to safeguard the welfare of animals where transport is non-compliant with the requirements of the law.</p><p> </p><p>During 2020, eight dogs were detained by APHA as being in the last 10% of gestation. An additional 11 pregnant bitches not in their last 10% were also detained.</p><p> </p><p>APHA continues to work closely with its local authority enforcement partners to support enforcement action and prosecution of those involved in this trade.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 10/09/2020 16:29:31 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1248855

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK in (a) September 2020 and (b) October 2020.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	111638
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>The number of Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates (ITAHCs) issued for dogs entering the UK was 5,206 in September 2020 and 5,287 in October 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The data for commercial dog imports was extracted from the Trade Control and Expert System via the data warehouse facility by searching for canis familiaris imports.</p><p> </p><p>This response has been compiled by the Animal and Plant Health Agency from data provided by third parties, and as such is reliant on the providers for the accuracy of the information.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 09/11/2020 16:11:39 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1252204

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported into Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme by (a) an individual owner, (b) a rehoming organisation based in the animal’s country of origin and (c) a rehoming organisation based in the UK, in each of the last six years.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	115825
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2020 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold all of the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Pet Travel Scheme, carriers complete and submit spreadsheets every month detailing their throughput. This is categorised by species, document type, non-compliance data and whether or not it is an assistance animal. Carriers do not provide information regarding who the animal was imported by.</p><p> </p><p>Animals imported under the Balai Directive are imported on an Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificate issued via the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). TRACES does not record whether the purpose of importation is for rehoming. While TRACES does identify the importer, it does not differentiate which importers are individual owners and which are rehoming organisations.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 115826 question first answered 19/11/2020 15:20:22 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1252205

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported into Great Britain under the Balai Directive by (a) an individual owner, (b) a rehoming organisation based in the animal’s country of origin and (c) a rehoming organisation based in the UK, in each of the last six years.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	115826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2020 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold all of the information requested.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Pet Travel Scheme, carriers complete and submit spreadsheets every month detailing their throughput. This is categorised by species, document type, non-compliance data and whether or not it is an assistance animal. Carriers do not provide information regarding who the animal was imported by.</p><p> </p><p>Animals imported under the Balai Directive are imported on an Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificate issued via the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). TRACES does not record whether the purpose of importation is for rehoming. While TRACES does identify the importer, it does not differentiate which importers are individual owners and which are rehoming organisations.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 115825 question first answered 19/11/2020 15:20:22 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1254200

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the limit on bringing more than five dogs to the UK on the efforts to rescue and re-home dogs.
	tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
	uin	118511
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2020 answer text <p>The regulations governing the non-commercial movements of cats, dogs and ferrets stipulate that people cannot bring more than 5 pets per person into the UK unless they are attending or training for a competition, show, sporting event (and written evidence of registration is required). However, dogs imported into the UK for rescue or rehoming must be moved under the commercial ‘Balai Directive’ regulations, which has different requirements. These regulations place no limits on consignment sizes. Any decisions made by the carriers (such as ferries and trains) to restrict consignment sizes in ways not required by the regulations are commercial decisions to which the Government is not party.</p><p> </p><p>Anybody wishing to move animals into the UK during these unprecedented times must plan all journeys carefully, ensuring that the proposed journey is realistic and complies with all relevant regulations and legislation around the movement of animals throughout the animals’ entire journey, including welfare in transport, as well as relevant COVID-19 legislation.</p><p> </p><p>The end of the Transition Period may open up new opportunities for managing our own commercial and non-commercial import and pet travel arrangements. The Government will be considering our pet travel and import arrangements (including for puppies and kittens) as part of cracking down on puppy smuggling in line with our manifesto commitment.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/11/2020 16:06:22 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

1256630

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer 25 November 2020 to Question 118511 on Dogs: Imports, what discussions he has had with Eurotunnel on their decision to reduce the number of animals allowed to travel in each vehicle from 20 to five.
	tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
	uin	122660
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2020 answer text <p>The regulations governing the non-commercial movements of cats, dogs and ferrets stipulate that people cannot bring more than 5 pets per person into the UK unless they are attending or training for a competition, show, sporting event (and written evidence of registration is required). However, dogs imported into the UK for rescue or rehoming must be moved under the commercial 'Balai Directive' regulations, which has different requirements. These regulations place no limits on consignment sizes. Any decisions made by the carriers (such as ferries and trains) to restrict consignment sizes in ways not required by the regulations are commercial decisions to which the Government is not party.</p><p> </p><p>It is for carriers, in this case Eurotunnel, to decide whether to introduce any additional conditions on passengers that go beyond the legal requirements in the regulations, including those that relate to travelling with pets.</p><p> </p><p>Anybody wishing to move animals into the UK during these unprecedented times must plan all journeys carefully, ensuring that the proposed journey is realistic and complies with all relevant regulations and legislation around the movement of animals throughout the animals' entire journey, including welfare in transport, as well as relevant COVID-19 legislation.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 03/12/2020 17:40:27 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

1272974

	registered interest
	date	30/12/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to raise the minimum age for dogs to be imported into the UK from 15 weeks to six months after the transition period ends.
	tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
	tabling member printed	Ben Lake
	uin	133108
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2021 answer text <p>Now that the transition period has ended, we have the opportunity to manage our own rules applying to pet travel movements into Great Britain. We are listening to the concerns of stakeholders around future requirements and the Government is developing a range of options to ensure there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare while allowing pet owners to continue to be able to travel with the minimum of disruption.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/01/2021 15:44:31 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1273016

	registered interest
	date	30/12/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what resources his Department provides to help check and validate the welfare and legitimacy of puppies being transported between Great Britain and the Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	Carla Lockhart
	uin	133301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2021 answer text <p>Pet travel is a devolved matter. Pet checking and welfare in transport regulations are undertaken and enforced by the relevant UK administration.</p><p> </p><p>In Great Britain, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works collaboratively with Border Force and other operational partners at ports, airports and inland, sharing intelligence to enforce the pet travel regulations which apply, disrupt illegal imports and seize non-compliant animals. Any animals found to be non-compliant with the pet travel regulations which apply may be refused entry or detained until compliant.</p><p> </p><p>When animals are transported for a commercial purpose, their transportation must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare. APHA takes an intelligence-led approach at the GB border towards tackling the illegal trade in dogs. As part of this activity APHA identifies and acts to safeguard the welfare of animals where transport is non-compliant with legal requirements.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/01/2021 14:57:18 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4857 label Biography information for Carla Lockhart

1275682

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of dogs entering the UK from Russia.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	136454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2021 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold data on the country of origin for non-commercial pets moving into the United Kingdom, and therefore this answer relates solely to dogs imported from Russia commercially. The commercial importation requirements apply to dogs, cats and ferrets who:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Travel in groups of more than five (unless travelling with a specific exemption for sports shows or training)</li><li>Travel more than five days before or after their owner or authorised person</li><li>Are being moved for the transference of ownership (including rescue animals being rehomed) or for sale</li></ul><p> </p><p>In 2018, 60 dogs were imported commercially into the United Kingdom from Russia and in 2019, 70 dogs were moved in this way. We do not currently have figures for the number of dogs commercially imported from Russia to the United Kingdom in 2020.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 20/01/2021 14:50:48 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1286584

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK in 2020; which countries those dogs originated from; and how many dogs were imported under the Pet Travel Scheme during the same period.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	153387
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2021 answer text <p>45,447 Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates (ITAHCs) were issued for dogs entering the UK in 2020 from the following countries:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Country of Origin</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>ITAHCs</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Austria</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Belgium</p></td><td><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bulgaria</p></td><td><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska)</p></td><td><p>135</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cyprus</p></td><td><p>4,277</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Czech Republic</p></td><td><p>108</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Denmark</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Estonia</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Finland</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>France</p></td><td><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Germany</p></td><td><p>86</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greece</p></td><td><p>355</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hungary</p></td><td><p>3,739</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ireland</p></td><td><p>2,804</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Italy</p></td><td><p>230</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Latvia</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lithuania</p></td><td><p>94</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malta</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Poland</p></td><td><p>3,415</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portugal</p></td><td><p>242</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Romania</p></td><td><p>24,499</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovakia (Slovak Republic)</p></td><td><p>83</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovenia</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Spain</p></td><td><p>5,268</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sweden</p></td><td><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Switzerland</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Netherlands</p></td><td><p>18</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>There were 165,890 dogs imported under the Pet Travel Scheme during the same period. Figures for December 2020 will be confirmed once all relevant information has been submitted by pet checkers and carriers.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 22/02/2021 11:23:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1286585

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK from Romania in 2020; and what discussions officials in his Department have had with their Romanian counterparts on ensuring that dogs entering the UK from Romania are (a) bred in conditions similar to UK standards, (b) vaccinated according to the health certification required and (c) transported appropriately.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	153388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2021 answer text <p>There were 24,499 Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates issued for dogs entering the UK from Romania in 2020.</p><p>Regarding contact with colleagues in Romania, Defra has been in routine contact at an official level with the relevant authorities in Romania, on matters concerning the movement of puppies and dogs, including on issues relating to biosecurity and animal health. Defra is committed to working constructively with our counterparts internationally to safeguard the welfare of these animals and protect the biosecurity of our country.</p><p>All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes under the Pet Travel Regime undergo 100% documentary and identity checks to ensure they are compliant with all the relevant vaccination, other health and documentary requirements. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) presently carry out post import checks at destination on commercial cats and dogs from the European Union (EU) on a risk-based approach. Defra has opted to implement this approach to protect our rabies-free status and the health of pets and people in the UK.</p><p>Regarding transportation, Defra has provided comprehensive information about the new requirements for transporting live animals into Great Britain to our counterparts in the EU and has encouraged them to share this with their own transporters.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 22/02/2021 11:12:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1287681

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs were imported under the Balai Directive in each month of 2020.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	155408
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2021 answer text <p>The figures for dogs imported under the Balai Directive for 2020 are as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Month</p></td><td><p>Dogs imported</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>January</p></td><td><p>4181</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>February</p></td><td><p>4078</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>March</p></td><td><p>2721</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>April</p></td><td><p>654</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May</p></td><td><p>4828</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>June</p></td><td><p>5072</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>July</p></td><td><p>5789</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>August</p></td><td><p>3815</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>September</p></td><td><p>2386</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>October</p></td><td><p>4108</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>November</p></td><td><p>3411</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>December</p></td><td><p>5446</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 24/02/2021 12:28:11 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1289719

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce measures to restrict the age at which puppies can be imported to at least 14 weeks.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	157953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2021 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of puppy smuggling and other illegal importations of pets seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to these animals and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk.</p><p>As per our pet travel and commercial importation requirements, the minimum age a cat, dog or ferret can be vaccinated against rabies is 12 weeks old, followed by a 21 day wait when travelling from an EU Member State or another 'listed' third country. This means that the minimum age a cat, dog or ferret can enter GB from an EU Member State or another listed third country is 15 weeks old.</p><p>At present, there has been no substantive change to the pet travel requirements for pets entering Great Britain (GB) from the EU.</p><p>Now the Transition Period has ended, we have the opportunity to manage our own pet travel and commercial importation rules. We are actively listening to the concerns of stakeholders and the Government is considering options to strengthen our efforts to tackle puppy smuggling. These options will take into consideration the results from our latest disease risk assessments for GB and recommendations of stakeholders such as the British Veterinary Association and Dogs Trust, and recent parliamentary work from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 05/03/2021 13:07:40 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1299710

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2021 to Question 136454, on Dogs: Imports, when her Department expects to have the figures for 2020.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	163162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>Further to Question 136454, the number of commercial dogs from Russia into the United Kingdom for 2018 to 2020 are as follows;</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of commercial dogs </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>70</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>713</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/03/2021 14:32:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1300127

	registered interest
	date	08/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificates were issued for dogs entering the UK in (a) November 2020 and (b) December 2020.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	164637
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2021 answer text <p>In November 2020, there were 4,944 Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates issued for dogs entering the UK. In December 2020, there were 4,424 Intra Trade Animal Health Certificates issued for dogs entering the UK.</p><p> </p><p>This response has been compiled by the Animal and Plant Health Agency from data provided by third parties, and as such is reliant on the providers for the accuracy of the information.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 16/03/2021 15:05:12 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1300744

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of proposals of the Dogs Trust to increase the minimum age at which puppies can be imported into the UK from 15 weeks to six months in order to make them less desirable for purchase and make the illegal puppy trade less lucrative for criminals.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	165441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2021 answer text <p>The end of the transition period has opened up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel and commercial importation rules. We are actively listening to the concerns of stakeholders and the Government is considering options to strengthen our efforts to tackle puppy smuggling and prevent the low-welfare importation and movement of these animals including looking at the minimum age of dogs entering Great Britain (GB).</p><p>These options will take into consideration the results from our latest disease risk assessments for GB, recommendations of stakeholders such as the British Veterinary Association and Dogs Trust, and recent Parliamentary work from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 17/03/2021 16:22:51 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1302608

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to facilitate the importation of rescue dogs from Bosnia after the 31 March 2021.
	tabling member constituency	New Forest West
	tabling member printed	Sir Desmond Swayne
	uin	168814
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 answer text <p>Dogs imported into Great Britain (GB) for rescue or rehoming must be moved in compliance with the rules on the commercial movement of dogs. Since the transition period ended, the health requirements for entering GB have not changed and there have been no restrictions placed on the importation of rescue dogs from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, importers must ensure that they meet the requirements as laid down by the European Union (EU) where consignments transit within the EU during the journey to GB.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 18/03/2021 15:51:17 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	55 label Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne

1311458

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the import of dogs with cropped ears.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	185810
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>The practice of mutilating dogs' ears is abhorrent and has rightly been banned in the UK for 15 years.</p><p> </p><p>We already have some of the world's highest animal welfare standards. The end of the transition period has opened up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel and commercial importation rules. We are actively listening to the concerns of stakeholders and the Government is considering options regarding the importation and commercial movements of dogs with cropped ears into Great Britain in line with World Trade Organization rules.</p><p> </p><p>Importers of animals must adhere to welfare standards as set out in Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and in domestic legislation, The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (WATEO). This legislation aims to protect the health and welfare of animals during transportation and applies to dogs that are suffering injury as a result of non-exempted mutilations including cropped ears.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also continues to raise awareness regarding the improper selling of pets by deceitful sellers in the UK and abroad through our 'Petfished' campaign. This seeks to educate prospective pet buyers on common tricks and tactics used by deceitful sellers which may result in the purchase of a mistreated or unwell pet, including those that have been subject to cropping. The campaign urges buyers to mitigate risks, for example by buying from trusted sellers such as those under the Kennel Club's Assured Breeder scheme, viewing puppies with their mothers and siblings, asking questions of the seller and following the Animal Welfare Foundation and RSPCA Puppy Contract to ensure that puppies are in good health when purchased.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 29/04/2021 15:19:56 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1351655

	registered interest
	date	18/08/2021
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs: Imports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to prevent puppies being imported to the UK and sold via third parties.
	tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
	tabling member printed	Tim Farron
	uin	40814
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2021 answer text <p>The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was introduced in Parliament on 8 June. The Bill allows us to protect the welfare of pets by introducing restrictions to crack down on the low welfare movements of pets into Great Britain and includes powers to introduce new restrictions on pet travel and on the commercial import of pets on welfare grounds, via secondary legislation.</p><p> </p><p>The Government launched a consultation on 21 August on our proposed restrictions to the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain, including our proposal to ban the commercial and non-commercial movement of puppies under the age of six months into Great Britain. We will take into account the views of the public and will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that our final measures are well considered and are guided by the latest evidence.</p><p> </p><p>The ban on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England, also known as Lucy's Law, came into force in April 2020. Defra recognises that raising awareness of deceitful sellers is another integral step towards tackling low-welfare and illegal supply of puppies. That is why we launched the communications campaign &quot;Petfished&quot; in March 2020 to raise the public's awareness of the consequences of buying from a low-welfare seller and challenging the assumption that it is easy to spot bad practice. The campaign also signposts to resources available to help them make a good decision and source from responsible breeders or rehoming centres in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 06/09/2021 15:54:26 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron