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Written question asked by Beth Winter (Labour) on Friday, 1 September 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 September 2023. It was answered by Trudy Harrison (Conservative) on Monday, 11 September 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Import Controls

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the oral statement by the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries on 25 May 2023, Official Report, columns 494 and 495, when she plans to bring forward (a) proposals to raise the age of import of brachycephalic dogs, (b) proposals to limit the import of pregnant bitches and (c) other proposals to stop the illegal importation of brachycephalic dogs.

Answer

It is not illegal to import brachycephalic dogs into Great Britain.

We plan to take forward measures in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill individually through other means during the remainder of this Parliament. That is why we would be supportive of legislating to ban puppies under six months (including brachycephalic dogs) and heavily pregnancy dogs as a single-issue Bill when Parliamentary time allows.

In August 2021, we consulted on proposed changes to the rules governing the commercial and non-commercial movement of cats, dogs and ferrets into Great Britain.

We are carefully reviewing the feedback from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and a summary will be published in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
197240
Session
2022-23
Related items
Animal Welfare
Thursday, 25 May 2023
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects
Animal welfare Dogs Import controls
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk