Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 March 2024. It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Friday, 22 March 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Smuggling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enforce (a) legislative provisions and (b) border controls relating to puppy smuggling.

Answer

The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by the hon. Member for North Devon on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears.

We operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. The Animal and Plant Health Agency works collaboratively with Border Force and other operational partners at ports, airports and inland, sharing intelligence to enforce the pet travel rules, disrupt illegal imports, safeguard the welfare of animals and seize non-compliant animals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18248
Session: 2023-24
Subjects: Dogs Smuggling
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Dogs: Smuggling

Secondary information

Librarians' tools