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<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authorisation relating to a cat or dog transporter has been revoked and two have been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>
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