Written question asked by Diana Organ (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 February 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals for an automatic lifetime ban on keeping horses following a conviction for cruelty.

Answer: Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals for an automatic lifetime ban on keeping horses following a conviction for cruelty. [98048] Mr. Morley: The Protection of Animals Act 1911 (as amended) provides that the court may disqualify a person convicted from having custody of any animal for such a period, as it thinks fit. There is no upper limit on the period of disqualification which a court may impose. I am undertaking a review of all existing animal welfare legislation--including the 1911 Act--with a view to the introduction of a Bill that will consolidate and modernise these laws in a single Act. This review includes the penalties available to the courts. No decisions have been taken concerning the contents of the Bill which will be issued in draft for public consultation before it is considered by Parliament.

Secondary information