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1336743

registered interest
date	15/06/2021
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	Rabbits: 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, for what reasons did the recently published Action Plan for Animals not include domestic rabbit welfare.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	16226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government continues to take positive action to protect the welfare of companion animals – including domestic rabbits. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, introduced in 2018, require anyone who is in the business of selling rabbits as pets to obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licence holders must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. The 2018 Regulations are supported by statutory guidance which provides specific information about the keeping of rabbits for sale:</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F936832%2Fselling-animals-as-pets.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196096625%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=roMPhF%2B9s5mfMloGHrhxGfmcSzMsot72s9l%2BzkOiVxg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936832/selling-animals-as-pets.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Additional advice is available to help pet owners provide for the welfare needs of their rabbit, including the British Rabbit Council’s Codes of Practice: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebritishrabbitcouncil.org%2Fcodes-practice.php&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196106619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=hcq7qWofxOcZikQ938A87zq8PIoyKjYROEUkMwir4vw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/codes-practice.php</a></p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 was recently granted Royal Assent. This realises the Government’s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. It means that from 29 June 2021, anyone who is cruel to an animal (including domestic rabbits) faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government’s main priorities on animal welfare and conservation, particularly those which require legislative action and reform. It is not exhaustive of every animal welfare issue which the Government covers. While the Action Plan does not refer explicitly to rabbit welfare, the Government cares about rabbit welfare and my department continues to work closely with organisations such as the Companion Animal Sector Council to monitor developments in welfare standards for all domestic animals including rabbits. My department is also happy to engage with rabbit welfare groups on an ongoing basis about their concerns.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 16227 16228 16229 question first answered 23/06/2021 12:18:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1336744

registered interest
date	15/06/2021
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	Rabbits: 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 consultation his Department undertook with rabbit welfare groups in the development of the Action Plan for Animals.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	16227
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government continues to take positive action to protect the welfare of companion animals – including domestic rabbits. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, introduced in 2018, require anyone who is in the business of selling rabbits as pets to obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licence holders must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. The 2018 Regulations are supported by statutory guidance which provides specific information about the keeping of rabbits for sale:</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F936832%2Fselling-animals-as-pets.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196096625%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=roMPhF%2B9s5mfMloGHrhxGfmcSzMsot72s9l%2BzkOiVxg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936832/selling-animals-as-pets.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Additional advice is available to help pet owners provide for the welfare needs of their rabbit, including the British Rabbit Council’s Codes of Practice: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebritishrabbitcouncil.org%2Fcodes-practice.php&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196106619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=hcq7qWofxOcZikQ938A87zq8PIoyKjYROEUkMwir4vw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/codes-practice.php</a></p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 was recently granted Royal Assent. This realises the Government’s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. It means that from 29 June 2021, anyone who is cruel to an animal (including domestic rabbits) faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government’s main priorities on animal welfare and conservation, particularly those which require legislative action and reform. It is not exhaustive of every animal welfare issue which the Government covers. While the Action Plan does not refer explicitly to rabbit welfare, the Government cares about rabbit welfare and my department continues to work closely with organisations such as the Companion Animal Sector Council to monitor developments in welfare standards for all domestic animals including rabbits. My department is also happy to engage with rabbit welfare groups on an ongoing basis about their concerns.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 16226 16228 16229 question first answered 23/06/2021 12:18:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1336745

registered interest
date	15/06/2021
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	Rabbits: 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 meetings his Department had with rabbit welfare groups in the development of the Action Plan for Animals.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	16228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government continues to take positive action to protect the welfare of companion animals – including domestic rabbits. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, introduced in 2018, require anyone who is in the business of selling rabbits as pets to obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licence holders must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. The 2018 Regulations are supported by statutory guidance which provides specific information about the keeping of rabbits for sale:</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F936832%2Fselling-animals-as-pets.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196096625%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=roMPhF%2B9s5mfMloGHrhxGfmcSzMsot72s9l%2BzkOiVxg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936832/selling-animals-as-pets.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Additional advice is available to help pet owners provide for the welfare needs of their rabbit, including the British Rabbit Council’s Codes of Practice: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebritishrabbitcouncil.org%2Fcodes-practice.php&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196106619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=hcq7qWofxOcZikQ938A87zq8PIoyKjYROEUkMwir4vw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/codes-practice.php</a></p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 was recently granted Royal Assent. This realises the Government’s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. It means that from 29 June 2021, anyone who is cruel to an animal (including domestic rabbits) faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government’s main priorities on animal welfare and conservation, particularly those which require legislative action and reform. It is not exhaustive of every animal welfare issue which the Government covers. While the Action Plan does not refer explicitly to rabbit welfare, the Government cares about rabbit welfare and my department continues to work closely with organisations such as the Companion Animal Sector Council to monitor developments in welfare standards for all domestic animals including rabbits. My department is also happy to engage with rabbit welfare groups on an ongoing basis about their concerns.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 16226 16227 16229 question first answered 23/06/2021 12:18:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1336746

registered interest
date	15/06/2021
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	Rabbits: 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 improve the welfare of domestic rabbits.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	16229
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government continues to take positive action to protect the welfare of companion animals – including domestic rabbits. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, introduced in 2018, require anyone who is in the business of selling rabbits as pets to obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licence holders must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. The 2018 Regulations are supported by statutory guidance which provides specific information about the keeping of rabbits for sale:</p><p><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F936832%2Fselling-animals-as-pets.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196096625%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=roMPhF%2B9s5mfMloGHrhxGfmcSzMsot72s9l%2BzkOiVxg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936832/selling-animals-as-pets.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Additional advice is available to help pet owners provide for the welfare needs of their rabbit, including the British Rabbit Council’s Codes of Practice: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebritishrabbitcouncil.org%2Fcodes-practice.php&amp;data=04%7C01%7CJosh.Day%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f40042e840d45142fca08d930e39051%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637594576196106619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=hcq7qWofxOcZikQ938A87zq8PIoyKjYROEUkMwir4vw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/codes-practice.php</a></p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 was recently granted Royal Assent. This realises the Government’s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. It means that from 29 June 2021, anyone who is cruel to an animal (including domestic rabbits) faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government’s main priorities on animal welfare and conservation, particularly those which require legislative action and reform. It is not exhaustive of every animal welfare issue which the Government covers. While the Action Plan does not refer explicitly to rabbit welfare, the Government cares about rabbit welfare and my department continues to work closely with organisations such as the Companion Animal Sector Council to monitor developments in welfare standards for all domestic animals including rabbits. My department is also happy to engage with rabbit welfare groups on an ongoing basis about their concerns.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 16226 16227 16228 question first answered 23/06/2021 12:18:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1259347

registered interest
date	08/12/2020
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	Cats: 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, what steps his Department is taking to encourage local authorities to collect and scan cats injured or killed in road traffic accidents for a microchip and inform their owners.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	126998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2020 answer text <p>It is established good practice for local authorities to scan any cat or dog found on the streets so that the owner can be informed. Cats Protection reports that 80% of councils in England routinely scan cats involved in accidents.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, Highways England has clear guidelines for contractors to follow when they find a deceased cat or dog. This process is designed with owners in mind, giving them the best chance of being informed of the incident to allow closure. The process is laid out in the Network Management Manual and in 2015 the necessary arrangements were made in all Highways England’s contracts to collect and identify cats and dogs killed on the strategic road network and to contact their owners.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 16/12/2020 14:56:45 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1259348

registered interest
date	08/12/2020
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	Cats: 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 his answer to Q40 in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's oral evidence session on The work of DEFRA, HC 261, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of strengthening requirements for cats entering the UK.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	126999
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2020 answer text <p>The end of the transition period will present new opportunities for managing our own Pet Travel rules and welfare arrangements for all pets, including cats. 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 whilst allowing pet owners to continue to be able to travel to and from the EU with the minimum of disruption.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 16/12/2020 14:59:24 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1229346

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	Cats and Dogs: Meat
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 he has taken to ensure that (a) dog and (b) cat meat is not being consumed in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	82449
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government shares the public's high regard for animal welfare, including the welfare of dogs and cats. The UK is a leader when it comes to the protection of animals, and we intend to go even further now that we have left the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is appalled by the prospect of dogs and cats being consumed. However, it is already illegal to sell dog and cat meat for human consumption and we have seen no evidence that dog or cat meat is being sold or consumed in this country. The organisation behind the recent campaign to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat in this country acknowledged this point.</p><p> </p><p>We are confident that our current position sends a clear message that the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats will never be acceptable. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other governments at every suitable opportunity, and we are pleased to hear that authorities in China are proposing to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 08/09/2020 12:59:38 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

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

1229679

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	Pets: Loneliness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats report entitled Cats as Companions: Can Cats Help Tackle Loneliness, published July 2020, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the effectiveness of pet ownership on (a) reducing loneliness and (b) reducing cost to the NHS.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	82458
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>I recognise the important role that pets play in providing companionship to owners of all ages in this country. Recent events have highlighted how much we, as a nation of animal lovers, value this companionship, as we experienced restrictions in social contact and saw an increased demand for pets, including cats, both for purchase and rehoming. I agree with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats that cats can help alleviate loneliness.</p><p> </p><p>Defra officials will engage with the Department of Health and Social Care in relation to any actions they wish to take relating to those aspects and recommendations in the report covering mental health issues and associated NHS costs.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 08/09/2020 16:07:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn

1229766

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	Pets: 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 the (a) adequacy of the regulation and enforcement of pet imports, (b) trends in the level of pet imports during the covid-19 outbreak and (c) effect of the UK leaving the EU on pet imports.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Elliot Colburn
uin	82461
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>Defra takes the illegal importation of pets seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to animals and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of the regulation and enforcement of non-commercial pet travel movements, we operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in the world. All pet animals entering Great Britain on approved routes under the EU Pet Travel Scheme undergo documentary and identity checks, and 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 Scheme, disrupt illegal imports and seize non-compliant animals. Any animals found to be non-compliant with the Pet Travel Scheme rules may be refused entry or detained until compliant.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding changing levels of pet imports (both commercial and non-commercial) during the COVID-19 lockdown, APHA has confirmed that during the initial period of lockdown (March-April 2020), we saw a reduction of pet movements. This increased to relatively routine figures as COVID-19 movement restrictions were eased. On non-commercial pet travel, 14,718 pets were moved into Great Britain in March 2020. Numbers of movements then fell to 1,834 in April 2020 and rose to 4,810 in May 2020. On the commercial imports of cats, dogs and ferrets under the Balai Directive, 2,506 animals were imported into the UK in March 2020, falling to 1,114 in April 2020. Numbers of commercial imports are steadily rising again and now sit at 6,741 for the month of August 2020.</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 grouped question UIN 82544 question first answered 08/09/2020 16:16:42 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4775 label Biography information for Elliot Colburn