Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 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, what legislation governs the inspection of pet shops in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislation governs the inspection of pet shops in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [192616] Mr. Bradshaw: Under the Pet Animals Act 1951 all pet shops in Great Britain have to be licensed by the local authority. The Act provides local authority officers with powers of inspection. Pet shops in Northern Ireland are similarly regulated under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. The draft Animal Welfare Bill would allow for secondary legislation to be introduced, to update the 1951 Act.

Secondary information