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1695484

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2024
	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	Foie Gras: 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 reasons for changes in the amount of foie gras imported in 2023 compared with previous years; what information his Department holds on the number of businesses involved in importing foie gras in 2023; and when he plans to conclude the evidence base research phase of the foie gras importation ban consultation.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	18289
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst we have domestic restrictions on the production of force-fed foie gras, it is possible to import foie gras from abroad. In line with the Government’s commitment to improving animal welfare standards as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, we are committed to building a clear evidence base to inform future decisions.</p><p>We do not currently have an end date for when this research will conclude.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 18/03/2024 15:14:10 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1690127

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2024
	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	Foie Gras: 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 total tonnage of foie gras imported in 2023; and whether he plans to ban its importation when produced via force-feeding.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	14733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>In 2023 the UK imported 628 tonnes of fatty livers of geese and ducks, valued at £3.3m <strong>(source HMRC UK Trade Info; data for 2023 is provisional and subject to change).</strong><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to building a clear evidence base to inform future decisions. Any proposals would be informed by the evidence base and likely subject to consultation.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 27/02/2024 14:01:21 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1665372

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2023
	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	Furs: Import Controls
	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 she is taking to (a) monitor and (b) restrict fur imports from European countries, in the context of outbreaks of avian flu in Europe in 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	203115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2023 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 26/10/2023 11:10:41 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1661859

	registered interest
	date	19/09/2023
	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	Furs: 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 she is taking to (a) monitor and (b) restrict as necessary fur imports from European countries, in the context of outbreaks of avian flu in Europe.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	200399
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Further details will be provided ahead of the tabling of the legislation later this year. Dog owners do not need to take any action at this stage.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">While fur cannot be farmed in this country, and some fur from particular species is prohibited from import and sale, it is still possible to import and sell other types of fur from abroad. It is also possible to re-export fur and fur products that have been imported. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have committed to explore potential action in relation to animal fur, as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, and have since conducted a Call for Evidence on the fur sector. We are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade. However, currently we are not seeking to restrict fur imports based on avian influenza. </ins></p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 16/10/2023 16:13:10 question first ministerially corrected 18/10/2023 15:30:59 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison previous answer version 97782 answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1640068

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2023
	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	Food: Labelling
	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 she will introduce mandatory animal welfare labelling on supermarket products.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	186762
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2023 answer text <p>In 2021, Defra ran a call for evidence to gather data on the potential impacts of different types of labelling reform for animal welfare. We received over 1,600 responses and a summary of these responses is available on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>Based on the evidence provided, Defra is continuing to explore options for improving and expanding mandatory animal welfare labelling, covering both domestic and imported products.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 05/06/2023 12:45:21 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1609845

	registered interest
	date	14/04/2023
	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	Poultry: Animal Housing
	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 she has made of the (a) proportion of egg production that will be cage-free by 2025 and (b) cost to the poultry sector of a ban on the use of cages for laying hens.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	179978
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2023 answer text <p>The proportion of eggs that come from caged hens has steadily decreased from 47% of total throughput in Q4 2017, to around 25% at the end of Q4 2022. No recent estimate of the proportion of egg production that will be cage-free by 2025 or the costs to industry of any ban on their use has been made.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 20/04/2023 12:02:26 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1586129

	registered interest
	date	17/02/2023
	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: Animal Breeding
	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 she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for preventing dog breeding which results in puppies with extreme conformation.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	147075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2023 answer text <p>All dog breeders are obliged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) to protect their animals from suffering and provide for their welfare needs in line with best practice. A breach of these provisions may lead to imprisonment, a fine, or both. The 2006 Act is backed up by a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697953/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf" target="_blank">Code of practice for the welfare of dogs (publishing.service.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p> </p><p>This code of practice provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their dogs, as required by the 2006 Act. The code of practice recommends owners seek the advice of a veterinary professional on the risks of inherited and exaggerated features, that could affect the welfare of the puppies, before allowing their dog to breed.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, commercial dog breeders in England are prohibited from breeding from a dog where it can be reasonably expected that its genotype, phenotype, or state of health could have a detrimental effect on its health or welfare or the health or welfare of its offspring.</p><p> </p><p>More detailed advice for those wishing to breed from their dogs can be found in the Canine &amp; Feline Sector Group’s Code of Practice for Dog Breeding which is available here: <a href="https://www.cfsg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Code-of-Practice-for-Dog-Breeding-2020.pdf" target="_blank">Code of Practice for Dog Breeding 2020.indd (cfsg.org.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 147076 question first answered 22/02/2023 14:34:41 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1586130

	registered interest
	date	17/02/2023
	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: Animal Breeding
	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 she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a code of practice to the regulate the breeding of dogs.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	147076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2023 answer text <p>All dog breeders are obliged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) to protect their animals from suffering and provide for their welfare needs in line with best practice. A breach of these provisions may lead to imprisonment, a fine, or both. The 2006 Act is backed up by a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697953/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf" target="_blank">Code of practice for the welfare of dogs (publishing.service.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p> </p><p>This code of practice provides owners with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their dogs, as required by the 2006 Act. The code of practice recommends owners seek the advice of a veterinary professional on the risks of inherited and exaggerated features, that could affect the welfare of the puppies, before allowing their dog to breed.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, commercial dog breeders in England are prohibited from breeding from a dog where it can be reasonably expected that its genotype, phenotype, or state of health could have a detrimental effect on its health or welfare or the health or welfare of its offspring.</p><p> </p><p>More detailed advice for those wishing to breed from their dogs can be found in the Canine &amp; Feline Sector Group’s Code of Practice for Dog Breeding which is available here: <a href="https://www.cfsg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Code-of-Practice-for-Dog-Breeding-2020.pdf" target="_blank">Code of Practice for Dog Breeding 2020.indd (cfsg.org.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 147075 question first answered 22/02/2023 14:34:41 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1585835

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2023
	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: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Code of Practice for the Welfare for Dogs will be reviewed.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	143864
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2023 answer text <p>Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs provides dog owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The code of practice is kept under review and updated when required, and in line with legislative developments and changes in animal welfare practice.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 20/02/2023 12:46:43 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling

1548531

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2022
	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	Cats and Dogs: Tagging
	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 his Department is taking steps to set up a national database for microchip companies to input data received for dogs and cats.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Giles Watling
	uin	103027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2023 answer text <p>We are not proposing to create a single cat and dog microchip database. Database operators are commercial enterprises which offer a range of services and provide choice for pet owners.</p><p><br> A consultation seeking views on changes to the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 closed on 20th May 2022 and we are analysing the responses. The consultation sought views on creating a single point of access facility for approved users to quickly search compliant databases for a microchip record. We intend for this to also apply to cat microchip records.</p><p><br> This is a devolved matter and these developments relate to the situation applying in England.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 103028 question first answered 25/01/2023 13:41:46 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4677 label Biography information for Giles Watling