Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Mark Pritchard (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 25 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Topical Questions

Question: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this surprise. [Laughter.] ... I fear this is becoming a love-in, but thank you for the surprise, Mr. Speaker; it is not even my birthday. On a serious point, may I challenge the Secretary of State on why this country still has 5,000 primates being kept as so-called pets? Is it not time to end that barbaric practice, rather than just licensing it?

Answer: We recognise the concerns raised by many people across the country on that area of policy. The regulations are there to give the protection that people expect, and obviously we keep them under review. There is growing concern about the keeping of primates or other species, particularly those that are endangered, and about animals in circuses, but we always maintain vigilance to make sure that policy reflects public opinion, and that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained.

Secondary information