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Written question asked by Margaret Ferrier (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 19 April 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 April 2017. It was answered by Lord Sharma (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Dogs: Meat

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his global counterparts and (b) animal rights groups on cruelty in the global dog meat trade; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

I met with animal rights activists earlier this year to discuss this issue and my officials are in ongoing discussions with them to identify how to improve animal welfare and raise awareness of the cruelty and potential health implications of the global dog meat trade.

The consumption of dog meat is legal in many countries, and the UK has no grounds to intervene or take trade measures to prevent this. As such, I have not raised the matter with my global counterparts. However, the British Ambassador in Seoul has raised the issue with the Korean authorities, and officials from the British Embassy in Seoul have accompanied non-government organisations on a dog farm visit. Officials have also met with police representatives from China to discuss their implementation of animal welfare regulations.

As I stated in the Westminster Hall Debate on 12 September 2016, it is encouraging that in countries where dog meat is consumed there are signs that attitudes are changing.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
71322
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Animal welfare Dogs Meat Overseas trade
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk