Written question asked by Tony Baldry (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 October 2006. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential impact of EC Council Regulations 1/2005 on (a) exhibitors and visitors to dog shows and trials and (b) dog breeders; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The EC Council Regulations 1/2005 will apply to the transport of animals in connection with an "economic activity". The winning of prizes at shows and trials should not be regarded as making the transport of dogs to them commercial. However, the regulation will apply to the transport of dogs to shows and trials in connection with an economic activity, for example, professional dog breeders.Those who breed dogs as a hobby will be excluded from the scope of the regulations providing that their income source does not exceed the expenses of the hobby. However, the regulation will apply to professional dog breeders.

Secondary information