Written question asked by Chris Coghlan (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 (named day). It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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Dogs: Insurance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that owners of dogs on the Index of Exempted Dogs can maintain the continuous third-party public liability insurance following the withdrawal of the Dogs Trust Companion Club cover on 30 June 2026; what discussions she is having with insurers on alternative provision; and if she will publish guidance on ensuring that responsible owners do not face unintentional non-compliance due to a lack of accessible insurance options.

Answer

Defra is working to ensure owners of banned breed dogs can remain compliant with the legal requirement to hold third-party public liability insurance beyond 1 July 2026.

Defra has published guidance on the GOV.UK page and contacted all registered owners to inform them that no action is required at this stage. Defra will share further guidance which will be published on GOV.UK in early June.

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

129342

Session

2024-26

Subjects

Dogs Exemptions Insurance

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk