{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&_page=0&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-11&hansardHeading=Pets%3A+Animal+Welfare", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587147", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1587147/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is concerned about the impact of the rise in the cost of living on all aspects of people\u2019s 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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-02-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-02-24T17:20:30.393Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4511", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ealing Central and Acton"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rupa Huq"}
      ], "uin" : "148656"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1540621", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1540621/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-11-21T19:16:59.487Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
      ], "uin" : "82231"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1540622", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1540622/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-11-21T19:43:37.797Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
      ], "uin" : "82232"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1537394", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1537394/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-11-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-11-07T12:42:52.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "74507"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1537607", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1537607/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>HM Government published its wide-reaching and ambitious Action Plan for Animal Welfare on 12 May 2021, setting out current and future work on animal welfare. Now that we have left the EU, we are making significant changes to domestic law through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, bringing in legislation to further protect the welfare of pets, farmed and kept wild animals in Great Britain.<\/p><p>The Kept Animals Bill was reintroduced to the House of Commons in May 2022 and will progress to Report stage as soon as parliamentary time allows. The Bill allows us further 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. We recognise there is strong support for the Bill from all sides of the House and we have been actively working with hon. Members, Peers and our partners to make sure that the reforms work effectively.<\/p><p>We already operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes (every route other than Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies) under the Pet Travel rules undergo 100% documentary and identity checks by authorised pet checkers.<\/p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency works collaboratively with Border Force and other operational partners at ports, airports and inland, sharing intelligence to enforce the Pet Travel rules, disrupt illegal imports, safeguard the welfare of animals and seize non-compliant animals.<\/p><p>We have no plans to introduce further visual checks.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-11-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-11-18T14:21:46.417Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to progress legislative proposals to promote the welfare of kept animals; and what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of making legislative provision to require visual checks on imported pets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4667", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Amesbury"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Weaver Vale"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Amesbury"}
      ], "uin" : "74896"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506089", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1506089/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is actively considering the impact of rising bills on all aspects of people\u2019s lives. Defra is in close contact with animal welfare organisations and meets them regularly to understand issues that are affecting the sector, including the impact of rising bills.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-26T09:09:49.19Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the increase in household bills on pet welfare.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4849", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Davies-Jones"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pontypridd"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Davies-Jones"}
      ], "uin" : "901335"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490131", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490131/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Double"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Austell and Newquay"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Double"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-26T12:49:09.71Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"}
      ], "uin" : "38723"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1439491", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1439491/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In May 2021 we published the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which sets out the Government's ambitious programme of legislative and non-legislative measures to further improve our high standards of animal welfare. As a key part of delivering this plan, we introduced the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill in June 2021. The Bill provides enhanced protections for pet, farmed and kept wild animals in Great Britain.<\/p><p>The Bill completed Commons Committee Stage in November. Since introduction, the Government has added a new pet abduction offence to the bill and extended the primates measure to Wales. We have also consulted on the use of powers in the Bill to tackle puppy smuggling. The Government is committed to this Bill and it will progress in its current form as soon as Parliamentary time allows.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-23T17:05:06.48Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-03-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to seek to progress legislation to make provision about the welfare of certain kept animals that are in, imported into, or exported from Great Britain, in (1) the current, and (2) the next, parliamentary session.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hodgson of Abinger"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Hodgson of Abinger"}
      ], "uin" : "HL6798"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387190", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387190/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Defra does not hold exact data on the number of domestic pets being left for rehoming annually over the last three years. However, the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) annual returns for 2018, 2019 and 2020 show that:<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for dogs in 2018 was 72,191;<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for cats in 2018 was 90,815;<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for dogs in 2019 was 65,080;<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for cats in 2019 was 99,738;<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for dogs in 2020 was 44,771;<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The intake for cats in 2020 was 56,672.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><p>The ADCH figures for 2021 will be available early next year.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4380", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Churchill"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bury St Edmunds"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Churchill"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-21T13:06:11.147Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of domestic pets being left for rehoming with animal welfare charities in each of the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
      }
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      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
      ], "uin" : "91932"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1386577", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1386577/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government shares the public\u2019s high regard for animal welfare and we are committed to making the UK a world leader in the protection of animals. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (2006 Act), it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare needs.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The 2006 Act is backed up by a series of Codes of Practice for the welfare of several species including Dogs, Cats, and other types of animal which may be kept as pets. These codes provide owners with information on how to meet their responsibility to provide for the welfare needs of their animals, as required by the 2006 Act.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In the Licensing of Activities involving Animals Regulations 2018 made under the 2006 Act certain animal related activities must be licensed, such as pet selling, dog breeding and selling, animal boarding, riding schools and the exhibiting of animals. Licences must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences. Such standards include the requirement for pet sellers to provide prospective owners with information on how to care for the animal.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>My Department also supports the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which was created to combat growing concerns about the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming and exchange, including through social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram. We have backed a set of Minimum Standards that PAAG developed which several of the UK\u2019s largest classified websites have agreed to meet. 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.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was granted Royal Assent on 29 April. This realises the Government\u2019s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 (the Act) came into force on the 29 June providing one of the toughest sanctions in Europe and strengthening the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare.\u202f The Act\u2019s new maximum sentence of five years and/or an unlimited fine will apply to the most serious animal cruelty offences, including causing unnecessary suffering, and is a significant step forward in improving animal welfare.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4380", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Churchill"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bury St Edmunds"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Churchill"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-17T17:40:39.553Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pets: Animal Welfare"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote responsible ownership of cats, dogs, and other pets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4742", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart Anderson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wolverhampton South West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stuart Anderson"}
      ], "uin" : "90501"}
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