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1458247

registered interest
date	19/04/2022
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	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, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve animal welfare.
tabling member constituency	Hitchin and Harpenden
tabling member printed	Bim Afolami
uin	155893
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2022 answer text <p>This Government published the Action Plan for Animal Welfare on 12 May 2021, setting out over 40 commitments on animal welfare and conservation. Since its publication, a programme of primary and secondary legislation has started to take forward many measures, alongside some non-legislative reforms.</p><p> </p><p>We delivered our Manifesto commitment to increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years through the Animal Sentencing Act. This came into force in June 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has successfully completed its Parliamentary passage and is awaiting Royal Assent. It establishes an Animal Sentience Committee to consider how individual central government policy decisions take account of animal welfare. It also recognises that decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs are sentient.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill has completed its Commons Committee Stage and, following the passing of a carryover motion by the House, will continue its passage in the next Session. The Bill delivers manifesto commitments relating to banning live exports, banning primates as pets, and tackling puppy smuggling. It also includes the new pet abduction offence in response to a recommendation from the cross-government Pet Theft Taskforce.</p><p> </p><p>We are supporting two Private Members Bills. The Animal (Penalty Notices) Bill is awaiting Royal Assent and the Glue Trap (Offences) Bill is awaiting its Third Reading in the House of Lords.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside these legislative reforms, Defra has launched Calls for Evidence on welfare labelling and the fur trade and launched consultations on puppy smuggling and zoo licensing standards. Defra has also published government responses to consultations on implementing and enforcing the Ivory Act, banning the shark fin trade, introducing welfare in transport reforms, mandating cat microchipping and banning trophy hunting.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/04/2022 15:11:46 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami

1354254

registered interest
date	09/09/2021
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	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, what assessment he has made of local authorities’ ability to enforce animal health and welfare legislation that is designed to protect domesticated and wild animals.
tabling member constituency	Croydon North
tabling member printed	Steve Reed
uin	45842
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>The Government has already taken significant steps to improve the welfare of domestic and other animals. The Animal Health and Welfare Framework has been produced to help county councils, unitary authorities and metropolitan boroughs in England deliver their statutory duties in relation to the health and welfare of farmed animals. Published in May 2021, our Action Plan for Animal Welfare sets out an ambitious programme of future reforms which will strengthen our position as a world leader in this field.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 were developed to help improve standards and enforcement across a range of animal activities licensed by local authorities; for example, modernising the regulation of dog breeding, pet selling and animal boarding. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the requirements of licenses in these areas and have access to appropriately trained officers. Statutory guidance aims to improve consistency with the interpretation and application by local authorities of the regulatory regime across England. Ultimately, however, it is for local authorities themselves to decide how best to use the powers of inspection and licensing available to implement the regime and deal with individual cases.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 14/09/2021 14:18:36 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4268 label Biography information for Steve Reed

1351452

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	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, if he will take steps to ensure that future policy decisions relating to animal welfare are evidence-based.
tabling member constituency	Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
tabling member printed	Dr Dan Poulter
uin	40836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2021 answer text <p>Defra applies an evidence-based approach to policy decision-making which makes use of several sources. These include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>externally commissioned research;</li><li>collaboration with academia and other research organisations;</li><li>internal evidence gathering by scientists, veterinarians, social researchers, economists, statisticians and operational researchers;</li><li>expert committees including the Animal Welfare Committee and the Zoos Expert Committee;</li><li>views provided by the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England;</li><li>information and evidence provided by or obtained from other sources including non-governmental organisations, industry bodies and other stakeholders;</li><li>information and evidence provided by or obtained from other government bodies, including the Devolved Administrations.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This year Defra’s research and innovation interests were published, setting out the high-level research aims for Defra policies including with reference to animal welfare. This is available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defra-group-research-and-innovation-interests-2021/defra-group-research-and-innovation-interests" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defra-group-research-and-innovation-interests-2021/defra-group-research-and-innovation-interests</a></p><p> </p><p>The Animal Sentience Bill currently before Parliament also provides for a new animal sentience committee to issue reports on how well future central government policy decisions pay all due regard to the welfare needs of animals.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 06/09/2021 12:38:07 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter

1348695

registered interest
date	20/07/2021
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	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, what steps he is taking to ensure animal welfare legislation is enforced in response to the reduction in the RSPCA's animal welfare inspectorate.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	36604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2021 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), local authorities, the Animal &amp; Plant Health Agency and the police all have powers to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare (including power of entry to inspect premises).</p><p> </p><p>Under the 2006 Act, anyone is able to take forward a prosecution, and it is on this basis that the RSPCA has been enforcing animal welfare legislation in this country. The RSPCA currently successfully prosecutes 800 to 1,000 people each year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the valuable work the RSPCA does to improve the welfare of animals. Defra remains committed to continuing its engagement with the RSPCA, and other organisations involved in enforcement activities, so that our high animal welfare standards are maintained and offenders are subject to appropriate penalties.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 28/07/2021 15:18:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1311050

registered interest
date	21/04/2021
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	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, what steps he is taking to improve the welfare of (a) domestic and (b) other animals in the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
uin	185291
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2021 answer text <p>The UK is a global leader in animal welfare. The Government has already taken significant steps to improve the welfare of domestic and others animals and we are currently considering the best legislative vehicle to bring forward a range of further animal welfare and animal-related measures to strengthen our position as a world leader in this field. This includes delivering our manifesto commitments when Parliamentary time allows.</p><p> </p><p>We have modernised the regulation (licensing) of a range of animal activities including dog breeding, pet selling and animal boarding. These animal welfare regulations apply modern welfare standards and make it easier for local authorities to enforce.</p><p> </p><p>We banned the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens which has been a significant milestone towards disrupting the unscrupulous trade that supports cruel puppy farming and smuggling. Through our national ‘Petfished’ campaign we continue to educate prospective pet owners on how to source pets responsibly, avoiding the common tricks and tactics used by deceitful sellers which may result in the purchase of a mistreated or unwell pet.</p><p> </p><p>We launched a public consultation on introducing compulsory cat microchipping in England. Microchipping means lost cats can be identified and returned home rather than handed into rehoming charities as strays. It also means that injured cats can be quickly identified by vets and their owners can be informed and involved in their care.</p><p> </p><p>We are supporting the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill which will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty offences from six month to five years imprisonment. This increase will act as a strong deterrent to those that commit such appalling acts and provide one of the toughest sanctions in Europe. This legislation, coupled with the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019, will also ensure that those who harm service animals are punished accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>We have a strong track record in raising the bar for farm animal welfare standards — such as banning battery cages for laying hens, sow stalls and veal crates and introducing CCTV in all slaughterhouses in England. We will strengthen the regulatory baseline to ensure we maintain our high standards and look to raise them sustainably over time as new research and evidence emerges.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently examining the evidence around the use of cages for farm animals.</p><p>We are delivering on our manifesto commitment and we hope to have legislation in place to end live animal exports for slaughter and fattening by the end of the year.</p><p>We have consulted on a wide range of proposals to improve animal welfare in transport and we will be publishing our response to the consultation and outlining how we will take reforms forward later this year. We are carefully considering potential improvements identified by the recent review of the regulations concerning the welfare of animals at the time of killing.</p><p> </p><p>We are also co-designing an Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which aims to promote the production of healthier, higher-welfare farm animals at a level beyond compliance with current regulations. The direction of the Pathway so far has been developed in active partnership with industry and a range of stakeholders through our co-design approach.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the Pathway, we are developing publicly-funded incentives for English farmers to provide enhanced animal health and welfare beyond the regulatory baseline. These incentives will be for enhancements valued by the public but not sufficiently provided for by the market. Small and large grants will also be used to co-fund investment in measures that will increase animal health and welfare over the statutory baseline.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/04/2021 16:50:15 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1299698

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	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, what plans his Department has to reduce the occurrence of animal abuse in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	163148
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>This Government is committed to animal welfare and the provision of tougher sentencing to deter acts of animal cruelty. The Government supports increasing the maximum custodial sentences for animal cruelty offences from six months to five years. This will enable courts to take a firmer approach to cases such as dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, or gross neglect of farm animals. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons by Chris Loder MP on 5 February and Committee stage took place on 3 February. Report stage and third reading of the Bill have now been scheduled for Friday 12 March. The Government will continue to support the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>A new maximum penalty of five years is in line with campaigns by key stakeholders such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. This is a positive step forward in improving animal welfare and will act as a serious deterrent against cruelty and neglect. Northern Ireland has already set the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences at five years' imprisonment, as has the Scottish Government through its Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act. The Welsh Government has confirmed that the new maximum penalty we are proposing should apply in Wales.</p><p> </p><p>The increase to five years' imprisonment will provide one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/03/2021 14:34:30 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1288265

registered interest
date	22/02/2021
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	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, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the financial sustainability of animal rescue organisations.
tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
uin	156365
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>Animal rescue organisations do excellent work, often on a voluntary basis, protecting animals against cruelty and ensuring that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home. I am acutely aware that the coronavirus pandemic, and specifically the measures put in place to control the spread of the virus, continue to affect individuals, businesses and charities caring for animals.</p><p> </p><p>The sector has kept us regularly updated of the developing situation, sharing their surveys particularly with respect to the rescue and rehoming of companion animals, and sharing information on cruelty investigations.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from a survey by the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) show that although the animal rescue sector has seen a drop in income during the pandemic the financial sustainability in the sector appears to be improving. This suggests that rescues have adapted to the new situation either through fundraising in different ways or taking advantage of grants made available by the ADCH and other sources. More rescues are now taking in dogs and cats and more are rehoming. In Quarter 4 of 2020 there was a 24% year on year reduction of cat intake and a 32% reduction in dogs entering rescues. 68% of rescues have reported more people wish to foster dogs or cats and 58% wish to rehome a dog or cat.</p><p> </p><p>National equine welfare charities have also kept us closely informed of the status of the Covid-19 Equine Rescues Emergency Fund established by the Pet Plan Charitable Trust together with World Horse Welfare and the National Equine Welfare Council. The current picture of equine welfare is better than feared, but we continue to keep things under review.</p><p> </p><p>Defra remains committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer appropriate advice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/02/2021 13:25:19 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1285636

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
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	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, if his Department will bring forward legislative proposals on preventing people from keeping an animal in the event that a tether is their only method of keeping that animal.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	152497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare including if such an offence is caused by the inappropriate way it is tethered. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary suffering or failing to provide for an animal's welfare is six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. However, the Government is committed to increasing the maximum custodial penalty for causing unnecessary suffering from six months to five years. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, currently before Parliament, will implement this increase. The Government will support the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. In addition, the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on how to tether their horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings. DEFRA keeps all such legislation under review to ensure existing laws provide for situations where people cause their animals unnecessary suffering, including through inappropriate tethering.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 16:21:01 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285776

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
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	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, how many licences were issued for (a) breeding dogs, (b) providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for cats, (c) providing or arranging for the provision of boarding for dogs in kennels, (d) providing or arranging for the provision of day care for dogs, (e) hiring out horses, (f) selling animals as pets and (g) keeping or training animals for exhibition under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.
tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
uin	152635
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>The table below provides data for the various activities as provided by local authorities, as required under <em>The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018</em>. Data held for animal boarding is not separated into catteries and kennelling or day care:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p>Active licences issued/renewed*</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Pet selling</p></td><td><p>Dog breeding</p></td><td><p>Animal boarding</p></td><td><p>Riding schools</p></td><td><p>Exhibiting animals</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>338</p></td><td><p>321</p></td><td><p>1,842</p></td><td><p>167</p></td><td><p>64</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019/20</p></td><td><p>539</p></td><td><p>561</p></td><td><p>2,401</p></td><td><p>185</p></td><td><p>539</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p>*according to records submitted by local authorities – 64 returns in 2018/19 and 82 returns in 2019/20.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 14:26:31 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1283069

registered interest
date	02/02/2021
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	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, what recent progress his Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals on animal sentience.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	147902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2021 answer text <p>We have committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in an effective and credible way and will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 08/02/2021 16:51:11 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady