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Written question asked by Ruth Cadbury (Labour) on Friday, 7 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 July 2023 (named day). It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Friday, 14 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Reptiles: Import Controls

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the financial impact on reptile owners of the changes proposed to regulations by her Department on the health risk of importing reptiles from the EU.

Answer

Live animals are inherently high risk. They cannot be kept in sealed containers and some of them pose not only a potential animal health risk but also a risk for the environment in the case of non-native species or invasive pests and a risk to the trade on endangered species (for example reptiles).

Movements of reptiles from Europe currently benefit from a transitional period during which reptile importers have free movement that applied prior to EU exit. As set out in the draft Target Operating Model, later in 2024 we expect all checks on reptiles (except pet animals) to be carried out at a live animal Border Control Post (BCP), as they become operational. Defra has not made any financial impact assessment on imports of reptiles.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
192998
Session
2022-23
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
EU countries Import controls Reptiles
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk