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1092071

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Horses: Transport
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 (a) trends in the level of non-compliant movement of equines with (i) fraudulent and (ii) non-existent documentation and (b) the potential effect on biosecurity and animal welfare of conducting spot checks on equines entering at ports after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Penistone and Stocksbridge
tabling member printed	Angela Smith
uin	234700
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold the information requested because fraudulent or non-compliant movements are not recordable on the TRACES system. It also does not record, in most cases, the ports of departure or entry for equines moving to or from the EU. The information requested is best covered by the local authority and the Intelligence and Regulation Hub.</p><p> </p><p>However, horses with fraudulent or non-existent documentation that are illegally moved would be covered by equine identification legislation in England. The local authorities have a statutory duty to enforce the regulations. Also, there is statutory duty on local authorities to deliver an annual prosecutions return under the Animal Health Act 1981. This information is collated and presented to Parliament at the end of March by APHA and subsequently published (on GOV.UK). This return provides details of expenditure incurred and prosecutions taken under the Act and incidences of disease in imported animals, which details successful prosecutions undertaken by local authorities in England.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 28/03/2019 16:49:03 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1564 label Biography information for Angela Smith

1092120

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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
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 provide companion dogs with the same protections as assistance dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	234786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>The offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control (section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) applies to attacks on other dogs, livestock and any other animals including companion dogs, as it does to attacks on people and assistance dogs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is based on the judgement in the Court of Appeal in R v Gedminintaite [2008] EWCA Crim 814. This case has shown that consideration of a dog being dangerously out of control is not restricted to situations where a person is present.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/03/2019 11:20:21 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1092252

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Fly-grazing
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 protect fly-grazed horses; and what support his Department provides to local authorities to help them enforce the Control of Horses Act 2015.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	David Warburton
uin	234842
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra is keen to ensure that we uphold our high standards of welfare including in relation to fly-grazed horses.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Control of Horses Act 2015 introduced more flexible options for the management of fly-grazing and other abandoned horses and has been welcomed by landowners, local authorities, countryside bodies and animal welfare charities. The 2015 Act allows landowners, occupiers and local authorities to secure and if necessary remove horses unlawfully left on their land and take them immediately to a place of safety. The person detaining the horse must notify the local police within 24 hours of doing so, and if the horse’s owner can be identified, they must also be notified.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 2015 Act provides flexibility, meaning that local authorities can use it in a way that meets their specific needs. We encourage all interested parties to work together at local level to use the available powers to address the challenge of abandoned horses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/03/2019 11:24:53 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton

1091217

registered interest
date	19/03/2019
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	Horses: Exports
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 discussions he has had with his counterparts in EU member states on protecting the welfare of equines at border inspection posts in the event they are refused entry into the EU.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	234100
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>Member states have a duty under Regulation (EC) 1/2005 to protect the welfare of animals, including at border inspection posts.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are discussing a range of technical and operational issues with the EU to mitigate the risk of welfare issues arising at the border.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In the event of no deal, transporters of unregistered horses must apply for a journey log in advance from the Member State at point of entry into the EU.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/03/2019 16:36:04 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1091248

registered interest
date	19/03/2019
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	Animals and Animal Products: 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 his Department has to ensure that all animals and animal products from outside the EU enter Northern Ireland through a border inspection post in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	234073
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2019 answer text <p>In the event we leave the EU without a deal, live animals and products of animal origin originating from non-EU countries will be checked at UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), including those with a final import destination in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>In Northern Ireland, Belfast Port is the approved BIP for frozen meat and fish products pre-packed for human consumption. Belfast International Airport is the approved BIP for animal by-products that are not for human consumption.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 22/03/2019 13:36:57 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1090917

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Donkeys and Horses: 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 reduce horse and donkey abandonment.
tabling member constituency	Mansfield
tabling member printed	Ben Bradley
uin	233564
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra is keen to ensure that we uphold our high standards of welfare including in relation to equines.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Control of Horses Act 2015 means landowners and occupiers can remove horses and other equines, including donkeys and their hybrids, that are unlawfully left on their land and immediately take them to a place of safety. Landowners must notify the local police within 24 hours of doing so, as well as the equine’s owner if identifiable.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Local authorities have powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to investigate concerns about the ill-treatment or neglect of animals, and any person or organisation, such as the RSPCA, can take forward a private prosecution under the 2006 Act if there is sufficient evidence.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, from October 2020 it will be mandatory for all owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys. The new Central Equine Database will then allow local authorities and police to track down the owners of abandoned horses and ensure that appropriate action is taken, and the animals are given the care they deserve. It will also mean lost or stolen horses will be reunited with their owners more easily.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/03/2019 17:38:55 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4663 label Biography information for Ben Bradley

1090942

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Cephalopods: 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, whether his Department has made an assessment of (a) the sentience of cephalopods and (b) their capability to feel pain; and whether cephalopods are included in the definition of animal in the draft sentience Bill.
tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
uin	233508
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>We are continuing to engage with stakeholders to further refine the Government’s proposals on animal sentience. As part of this we are continuing to assess which animals should be covered by those proposals.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/03/2019 17:21:59 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1090956

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Horses: 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 the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System will enable horses to be traced post-import and check-tested.
tabling member constituency	Penistone and Stocksbridge
tabling member printed	Angela Smith
uin	233513
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>If we leave the EU without a deal, horse movements into the UK from countries outside the EU will have to be notified before arrival in the UK using the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS). Those horses will need to enter the UK via an appropriate Border Inspection Post in the UK for checks.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notifications before arrival will also be required for horses coming into the UK from the EU, with the exception of horses travelling from the Republic of Ireland which will be exempt.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>For an initial period, these notifications for horses travelling from the EU will not be raised through IPAFFS. The importer should download and complete a notification form from <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-import-of-animals-and-products-food-feed-notify-authorities" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-import-of-animals-and-products-food-feed-notify-authorities</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This form should then be sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for all imports coming into England, Wales and Scotland, or to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for movements into Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Those authorities will issue a unique notification number, which is required to complete the health certificate that must accompany consignments. Health certificates are available here: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-import-health-certificates" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-import-health-certificates</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>APHA and DAERA will, after the arrival of the horses in the UK, carry out risk-based checks at the final point of destination as they do now.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>From autumn 2019, notifications will be made using IPAFFS.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Detailed guidance for importers is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-animals-animal-products-and-high-risk-food-and-feed-not-of-animal-origin-after-eu-exit" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-animals-animal-products-and-high-risk-food-and-feed-not-of-animal-origin-after-eu-exit</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/03/2019 17:32:26 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1564 label Biography information for Angela Smith

1091001

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Animal Welfare: Sentencing
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 18 March 2019 to Question 230932 on Animal Welfare Act 2006, when he plans to increase the custodial maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months imprisonment to five years imprisonment; and whether that change will require primary legislation.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
uin	233614
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to increasing the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty from 6 months’ to 5 years’ imprisonment, and will do so as soon as Parliamentary time allows. Primary legislation is required.</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/03/2019 17:24:35 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock

1091094

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Food: Standards
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 tailor food standards to (a) serve UK trade interests and (b) keep standards high.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	233543
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring high food standards at home and promoting high standards internationally. We have been clear that any future trade agreements must work for consumers, farmers, and businesses in the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK has world leading standards of food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework; we will maintain these high standards once the UK leaves the European Union.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/03/2019 17:27:57 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell