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1140855

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	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	Pets: 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 his Department is taking to ensure that all dog and cat rehoming centres are adequately regulated.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	280182
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>As with anyone who owns or keeps animals, rescue and rehoming centres are subject to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which means they must provide for the animals’ welfare needs and protect them from pain, injury and disease. During the consultation on whether to ban the third party selling of puppies and kittens, carried out last year, we included a question about whether rescue and rehoming centres should be regulated. We need to be confident of the benefits and the impacts of any regulations placed on rescue and rehoming centres, particularly on some of the smaller rescues. We will put forward legislative proposals at the earliest possible point, once we have fully consulted with the sector and understood the impact of any proposals.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 13:51:24 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1190799

	registered interest
	date	27/04/2020
	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: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to introduce parity of treatment under the law for people found guilty of harming or injuring a domestic pet to bring them in line with the penalties imposed if a service dog used by the police or an assistance dog used by a visually impaired person is attacked or injured.
	tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
	tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	40708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government remains fully committed to animal welfare and 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 on 5 February by Chris Loder MP and is due to have its Second Reading on 10 July. The Government will continue to support the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. The proposed new maximum sentence of five years would apply to all animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and hence would provide parity of treatment under the law for domestic pets, for service dogs used by the police, and for assistance dogs used by visually impaired people.</p><p> </p><p>The new maximum penalty of five years is in line with campaigns by key stakeholders such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. This is a positive step forward in improving animal welfare and will act as a serious deterrent against animal cruelty. 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 and will apply where anyone is convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 05/05/2020 16:42:07 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1258826

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2020
	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	Pets: 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 his Department has made of the level of financial support available for the companion animal welfare sector in the context of the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
	tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	125961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2020 answer text <p>The welfare of companion animals remains a priority for Defra throughout the coronavirus pandemic. My department continues to work closely with the companion animal welfare sector to understand the concerns of the sector and address how organisations that work with companion animals have been affected by Covid-19.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has announced various measures to help businesses and charities cope in these strained times whilst remaining completely focussed on managing and eradicating the virus. Organisations can apply for the full range of COVID-19 support measures that the government has made available:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support</a>.</p><p> </p><p>There has been a change to the eligibility criteria for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The CBILS requirement for a small to medium-size enterprise to generate more than 50% of its income from trading has been removed for registered charities.</p><p> </p><p>The Charity Commission has also issued comprehensive guidance on running a charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Details can be found at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector</a>. This includes advice for Trustees on managing financial difficulties with respect to use of reserves, restricted funds and provisions to help businesses continue operating and avoid insolvency during this period of economic uncertainty.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to this, we have worked closely with the sector through the Canine and Feline Sector Group and National Equine Welfare Council to agree and update guidance to animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and other animal charities and businesses. This has enabled them to undertake core operations as far as possible, whilst maintaining compliance with the social distancing rules and need for hygiene precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.</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 10/12/2020 16:52:04 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

1327649

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	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	Pets: 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 help ensure that the welfare of exotic animals being held in private residences is being protected.
	tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
	tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	6332
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/06/2021 answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p>The Government takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously. Our manifesto and the recent Action Plan for Animal Welfare published on 12 May were clear about the importance of high standards of animal welfare. We have a long tradition of protecting animals and that will continue.</p><p>As with all kept animals, the welfare of exotic animals held in private residences is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Under this legislation it is an offence to cause suffering to a kept animal or to fail to provide for their needs. The Government's recent Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 realises the Government's manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. From 29 June 2021, anyone who is cruel to an animal faces a prison sentence for up to five years, an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p>The private keeping of specific exotic animals deemed to be dangerous in the UK is also regulated by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. This legislation requires those keeping particular species to obtain a licence from their Local Authority. Whilst this legislation is primarily concerned with public safety, licence holders are required to provide suitable accommodation, food, drink and bedding for any animals held under licence and are subject to regular inspections by a veterinary practitioner.</p><p>In the 2019 manifesto, the Government committed to ban the keeping of primates as pets. Primates are highly intelligent wild animals with complicated welfare needs and as such are unsuitable to be kept as pets. In a Call for Evidence on the welfare of primates kept as pets which closed in January 2020, Defra received evidence of the harm that can be done to primates kept in domestic settings, both physical and psychological.</p><p>Defra sought public input on proposals to tackle the issue of primates kept as pets in a consultation launched at the end of 2020. As outlined in the Government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare we will legislate to prohibit primates as pets. Keepers that are able to provide welfare standards akin to those of licensed zoos will be able to keep their primates under a new licensing regime, subject to conditions and inspections. Ownership of these exotic animals with complex needs will be phased out for keepers unable to meet these standards.</p><p>The Government is considering which other wild animals these restrictions could apply to and steps to ensure this is possible will form part of the upcoming Kept Animals Bill.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 03/06/2021 08:52:18 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1343557

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2021
	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	Pets: 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 protect domestic animals from cruelty through the on-line sales market.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	27220
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2021 answer text <p>This Government takes the issue of low-welfare and illegal supply of puppies very seriously. Significant steps have already been taken to improve and update the laws on dog breeding in England to crack down on unscrupulous breeders who breed dogs purely for financial greed at the expense of animal welfare.</p><p> </p><p>Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations) anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs and/or who breeds three or more litters in a twelve-month period needs to have a valid licence from their local authority. Licences must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards, including provisions to protect dogs from being bred from too often or at an early age, which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. Any licensee advertising dogs for sale will need to include their licence number in the advert and specify the local authority who issued the licence. Additional requirements placed on advertisements include that the age of the dog for sale must be displayed along with a recognisable photograph.</p><p> </p><p>We banned the commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England from 6 April 2020. This ban aims to disrupt the low-welfare trade that supports puppy farming by preventing pet shops, pet dealers and other commercial outlets from selling these animals in England unless they themselves have bred them. It means anyone looking to get a puppy must buy direct from a breeder or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead.</p><p> </p><p>The 2018 Regulations require Local Authorities to maintain a record of the number of licences in force for each activity in their respective area. Furthermore, as Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing animal related activities which are licensed, such as pet selling or dog breeding, they will hold details on the level of enforcement activity being undertaken in their area.</p><p> </p><p>Meanwhile my department maintains a national communications campaign (Petfished) to raise awareness of issues associated with low-welfare and illegal supply of pets. This includes providing clear signposting on where responsible breeders and rehoming centres can be found and encouraging prospective buyers to research the seller thoroughly before they visit and decide to purchase. The campaign provides a list of red flags for buyers to look out for when searching for a pet online. More information can be found here: <a href="https://getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk/</a></p><p> </p><p>We have also endorsed The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which was created to combat growing concerns about the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming and exchange and backed a set of Minimum Standards that PAAG developed which several of the UK’s largest classified websites have agreed to meet.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, the Government has a manifesto commitment to crack down on puppy smuggling and one of our key reforms in the Action Plan on Animal Welfare is to end this abhorrent, cruel practice and low-welfare pet imports. Through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill currently before Parliament, we will introduce new powers to tackle the unethical trade of puppy smuggling by reducing the number of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) that can travel under pet travel rules. The Bill will also include powers for the Government to bring in further restrictions on the movement of pets on welfare grounds, for example by increasing the minimum age of imported puppies and restricting the import of pregnant dogs and dogs with mutilations such as cropped ears and tails.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 27219 27221 question first answered 13/07/2021 13:47:47 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1490131

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2022
	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	Pets: 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 has taken to ensure that domestic pets are not put at risk during a period of extreme heat.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	38723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2022 answer text <p>We are acutely aware of the potential risks that hot weather creates for pets. Defra has issued communications over the last week to give tips to pet owners on steps to take in hot weather to keep their pets safe. This includes social media posts on how to keep your dog or cat cool, encouraging pet owners to know the signs of heatstroke:<a href="https://twitter.com/DefraGovUK/status/1548215892692963329?s=20&amp;t=eQ0yptnzMwlN0QlkDXa8sA" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/DefraGovUK/status/1548215892692963329?s=20&amp;t=eQ0yptnzMwlN0QlkDXa8sA</a> and guidance on caring for horses in extreme weather: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-farm-animals-and-horses-in-extreme-weather" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-farm-animals-and-horses-in-extreme-weather</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A number of veterinary and animal welfare organisations have also published advice and guidance for pet owners on caring for their pets during periods of extreme heat. For example, The British Veterinary Association issued advice to pet owners on keeping pets safe during hot weather which you can find here: <a href="https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/sunscreen-shade-and-sunset-walkies-vets-issue-urgent-heatwave-advice-as-temperatures-set-to-rival-2018-record/" target="_blank">https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/sunscreen-shade-and-sunset-walkies-vets-issue-urgent-heatwave-advice-as-temperatures-set-to-rival-2018-record/</a>. World Horse Welfare also provided advice on caring for horses: <a href="https://int.worldhorsewelfare.org/news/hot-weather-and-horses" target="_blank">https://int.worldhorsewelfare.org/news/hot-weather-and-horses</a>.</p> answering member constituency St Austell and Newquay answering member printed Steve Double question first answered 26/07/2022 12:49:09 answering member 4452 label Biography information for Steve Double
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1537394

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2022
	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	Pets: 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 her Department is taking to reduce the number of pets abandoned by families as a result of the rising cost of living.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	74507
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/11/2022 answer text <p>HM Government is concerned about the impact of rising bills on all aspects of people's lives and businesses, including the costs associated with companion animal welfare. Defra remains in close contact with animal welfare organisations and meets them regularly to understand issues that are affecting the sector, including any increase of abandonment rates.</p><p>Sector groups are closely monitoring the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and identifying where more support may be needed. We welcome the support they are providing through pet food banks and financial support with veterinary treatment during these difficult times which is helping to reduce the pressure on pet owners.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 07/11/2022 12:42:52 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1540621

	registered interest
	date	08/11/2022
	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	Pets: 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 her Department is taking to protect companion animal welfare while in transport; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	82231
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2022 answer text <p>HM Government is committed to improving the welfare standards of all animal journeys. We published our wide-reaching Action Plan for Animal Welfare in May 2021, setting out our current and future work to build on our already high standards of animal welfare.</p><p> </p><p>When companion animals are transported for a commercial purpose, their transportation must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare, including the provision of sufficient space, feed and water. All transporters who wish to operate in Great Britain, including importing animals into or transiting through Great Britain, must hold a GB issued transporter authorisation. The Animal and Plant Health Agency acts as national regulator for the welfare of animals in transport rules and is able to take regulatory action following any non-compliance. Over the last year, one transporter authorisation relating to a cat or dog transporter has been revoked and two have been suspended.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will allow us to protect the welfare of pets by introducing restrictions to crack down on the low welfare movements of pets into Great Britain and includes powers to introduce new restrictions on pet travel and the commercial import of pets on welfare grounds, via secondary legislation. In August 2021, HM Government launched a consultation on how these powers should be used. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish a response in due course.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 21/11/2022 19:16:59 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1540622

	registered interest
	date	08/11/2022
	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	Pets: 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 she is planning legislative changes of health requirements for the (a) commercial and (b) non-commercial movement of companion animals into Great Britain; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	82232
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2022 answer text <p>We take biosecurity seriously and operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All pets entering Great Britain must be vaccinated against rabies, with a minimum 21 day wait period, and all dogs entering Great Britain must be treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before entry unless coming from tapeworm free countries. All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes under the Pet Travel rules and all commercial imports of pets undergo 100% documentary checks, and this includes checking animal health records to ensure compliance with these requirements.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, within 48 hours prior to the time of departure all commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets must undergo a clinical examination carried out by an official veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no signs of diseases.</p><p> </p><p>We remain aware of the concerns around non-endemic diseases and continue to monitor the disease situation carefully. Our future policy will be guided by risk assessment.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 21/11/2022 19:43:37 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1587147

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Pets: 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 she has made an assessment of the potential merits of promoting charitable help and information to reduce pet abandonment in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.
	tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
	tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	148656
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2023 answer text <p>The Government is concerned about the impact of the rise in the cost of living on all aspects of people’s lives, including the rise of costs associated with maintaining the welfare of companion animals.</p><p> </p><p>Defra officials regularly meet stakeholders to understand the issues and trends affecting the sector, including the impact of the rise in the cost of living on those who care for companion animals and any changes in pet abandonment rates.</p><p> </p><p>Sector groups are closely monitoring the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and identifying where more support may be needed. We welcome the support they are currently providing through pet food banks and financial support with veterinary treatment which is helping to reduce the pressure on pet owners.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/02/2023 17:20:30 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq