Written question asked by David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 14 May 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 May 2018. It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 May 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals: Licensing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require all animal owners to hold a licence to own an animal.

Answer: The Government has taken many steps to improve the welfare of animals, such as introducing legislation that will make it compulsory for all slaughterhouses to have CCTV; compulsory microchipping of all dogs; new laws to improve welfare standards in pet shops, dog breeding establishments, riding establishments, boarding establishments and in the exhibiting of animals; updating codes of practice for the welfare of cats, dogs, horses and meat chickens; and we will also be increasing the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences tenfold from six months’ imprisonment to five years’ imprisonment. The Government therefore considers that there is no need to introduce a licensing scheme along the lines proposed.

Secondary information