Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label attachment file name title
tabling member	label

Search

1138959

registered interest
date	15/07/2019
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: Smuggling
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 22 May 2019 to Question 257548, what further collaboration his Department is planning with (a) the Animal and Plant Health Agency and (b) Border Force following that meeting with the Immigration Minister.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham North
tabling member printed	Alex Norris
uin	277278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), as an executive agency of Defra, delivers Defra’s animal health and welfare and plant health policy, including in the area of illegal dog imports, which was discussed at the Ministerial meeting in question. APHA and Defra colleagues are in continual communication about how to best shape and deliver this important policy area.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding further collaboration between Defra and Border Force, we are taking forward our work to disrupt illegal imports of dogs as part of a wider refresh of our engagement at points of entry. Specifically, this includes APHA working more closely with Border Force to further improve operational processes at port, as well as exploring options for more mutual sharing of intelligence and intelligence led work.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 18/07/2019 14:44:05 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4641 label Biography information for Alex Norris

1128287

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
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: Smuggling
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 discussions Ministers in his Department have had with the Immigration Minister on (a) puppy smuggling and (b) collaboration between Animal and Plant Health Agency and Border Force in tackling that activity.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham North
tabling member printed	Alex Norris
uin	257548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of the smuggling of dogs and puppies seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. We are working hard to tackle the problem, targeting both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs. This approach includes enforcement, international engagement, tighter regulation and public communications.</p><p> </p><p>A meeting with the Immigration Minister, specifically to discuss puppy smuggling, was arranged a few weeks ago for mid-June.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) continues to work collaboratively with Border Force at ports and airports, sharing intelligence in order to disrupt illegal imports.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 05/06/2019 11:39:55 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4641 label Biography information for Alex Norris

1127527

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
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: Smuggling
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 the Government is taking to tackle the unlawful smuggling of dogs and puppies.
tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
uin	256263
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of the smuggling of dogs and puppies seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk.</p><p> </p><p>We are working hard to tackle the problem, targeting both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs. This approach includes enforcement through increased resourcing and partnership working at ports, international engagement, and sales and licensing. We are also helping the public to understand how they can responsibly buy or adopt a dog.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 23/05/2019 12:49:44 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1109074

registered interest
date	02/04/2019
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: Smuggling
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 make an assessment of the potential merits of longer sentences for people found guilty of puppy smuggling.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	239858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government has zero tolerance for unscrupulous dealers and breeders who abuse the Pet Travel Scheme to traffic underage puppies into the UK. 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. This approach includes international engagement, enforcement, public communications and tighter regulation.</p><p> </p><p>We are considering a number of options for improved enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel. This includes the possibility of introducing Fixed Penalty Notices.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and the Government has announced that it will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty from 6 months to 5 years imprisonment as soon as Parliamentary time allows. This will help deter those motivated to traffic underage puppies into the UK at the expense of their welfare.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 08/04/2019 16:27:26 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1108899

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
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: Smuggling
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 March 2019 to Question 231392, on Dogs: Smuggling, what plans the Government has to (a) develop its long-term strategy for pet travel and (b) to deter puppy smuggling after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	239339
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>Defra is considering a number of options for increased deterrent and improved enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel. Stricter penalties, including the possibility of introducing Fixed Penalty Notices, are being considered. We are also evaluating the benefits of ensuring visual checks on all travelling pets, besides the documentary and identification checks that all pets are currently subject to at the UK border.</p><p>In July 2018, Defra hosted a well-attended workshop with key stakeholders from national and local government, NGOs, transport carriers, veterinary groups and others, including the Animal Health and Welfare Board of England, Border Force, RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Canine and Feline Sector Group.</p><p>Through group discussions throughout the day, ideas for a 2030 vision were identified under five themes: Animal Welfare; Biosecurity; Enforcement; Consumer Demand; Sales &amp; Licensing. These ideas, and others generated through ongoing work in this area, will inform the future long term strategy for pet travel.</p><p>Defra is committed to tackling the puppy smuggling journey from end to end – putting the spotlight on both supply and demand. We continue to work with border enforcement partner agencies, including Border Force, to ensure our enforcement work keeps pace with this evolving crime.</p><p>After the UK leaves the EU, the rules will not change in the short term for pets entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme or commercial import rules. However, looking to the future, leaving the EU will open up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel arrangements, including ensuring there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare. Defra is considering a number of options for increased deterrent and targeted enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 239341 question first answered 08/04/2019 16:45:18 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1108902

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
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: Smuggling
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 March 2019 to Question 231392, on Dogs: Smuggling, what plans his Department has to tighten regulations to tackle the illegal importation of dogs into the UK.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	239341
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>Defra is considering a number of options for increased deterrent and improved enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel. Stricter penalties, including the possibility of introducing Fixed Penalty Notices, are being considered. We are also evaluating the benefits of ensuring visual checks on all travelling pets, besides the documentary and identification checks that all pets are currently subject to at the UK border.</p><p>In July 2018, Defra hosted a well-attended workshop with key stakeholders from national and local government, NGOs, transport carriers, veterinary groups and others, including the Animal Health and Welfare Board of England, Border Force, RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Canine and Feline Sector Group.</p><p>Through group discussions throughout the day, ideas for a 2030 vision were identified under five themes: Animal Welfare; Biosecurity; Enforcement; Consumer Demand; Sales &amp; Licensing. These ideas, and others generated through ongoing work in this area, will inform the future long term strategy for pet travel.</p><p>Defra is committed to tackling the puppy smuggling journey from end to end – putting the spotlight on both supply and demand. We continue to work with border enforcement partner agencies, including Border Force, to ensure our enforcement work keeps pace with this evolving crime.</p><p>After the UK leaves the EU, the rules will not change in the short term for pets entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme or commercial import rules. However, looking to the future, leaving the EU will open up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel arrangements, including ensuring there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare. Defra is considering a number of options for increased deterrent and targeted enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 239339 question first answered 08/04/2019 16:45:18 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1087313

registered interest
date	12/03/2019
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: Smuggling
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 plans to take further steps to deter dog smuggling into the UK.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	231392
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of the smuggling of dogs and puppies seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. We are working hard to tackle the problem, targeting both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs. This approach includes international engagement, enforcement, public communications and tighter regulation.</p><p> </p><p>After the UK leaves the EU, the rules will not change immediately for pets entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme or commercial import rules. However, looking to the future, leaving the EU will open up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel arrangements, including ensuring there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare. Defra is considering a number of options to deter dog smuggling as part of a long term strategy for pet travel.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 20/03/2019 14:26:21 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1063962

registered interest
date	19/02/2019
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: Smuggling
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 increasing the length of sentences for convictions of dog smuggling.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	223134
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of the smuggling of dogs and puppies seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. We are working hard to tackle the problem, targeting both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs. This approach includes international engagement, enforcement, public communications and tighter regulation.</p><p>Defra is considering a number of options for improved enforcement as part of a long term strategy for pet travel. Stricter penalties, including the possibility of introducing Fixed Penalty Notices, are being considered. In addition, we are also seeking to extend the maximum sentence for animal cruelty up to 5 years.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/02/2019 16:11:57 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1063963

registered interest
date	19/02/2019
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: Smuggling
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 incidences of dog smuggling there have been in each of the last 10 years; and from which countries those dogs were smuggled.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	223135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA’s) data retention period for import data is 3 years. APHA does not hold data relating specifically to ‘smuggled’ animals, however, it does hold data on animals that are ‘illegally landed’. This includes any dog, cat or ferret that is landed in Great Britain which does not meet the import requirements, and therefore requires quarantine, under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (as amended) (RIO). While these figures may include some smuggled animals, they also include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>pet animals that arrive at UK airports and during the pets check are found to be non-compliant</li></ul><ul><li>animals that are found ‘inland’ and after a trading standards investigation are found to be non-compliant</li></ul><p> </p><p>The attached table shows the number of dogs (including puppies) quarantined, by country of origin, after being illegally landed in Great Britain for the last 3 years.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 05/03/2019 10:36:23 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley attachment 1 file name Numbers of Illegally Landed Dogs.docx title Numbers of illegally landed dogs
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1013166

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
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: Smuggling
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 reports of illegally imported puppies the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out to in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	195121
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>Enforcement action regarding illegally imported puppies is not within APHA’s remit, but is carried out by Local Authorities.</p><p> </p><p>In 2018 the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been called out 44 times following referrals by carriers or border officials, eight of these related to the importation of puppies.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/12/2018 10:39:07 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson