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Written question asked by Baroness Redfern (Conservative) on Friday, 16 April 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 30 April 2021. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 April 2021 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Smuggling

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise the minimum age for puppies being imported to the UK to six months in order to deter the trade in underage puppies; and whether they will ban payments in cash for puppies imported to the UK.

Answer

The end of the transition period has opened up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel and commercial importation rules. We are actively listening to the concerns of stakeholders and the Government is considering options to strengthen our efforts to tackle puppy smuggling and prevent the low-welfare importation and movement of these animals, including looking at the minimum age of dogs entering Great Britain (GB).

These options will take into consideration the results from our latest disease risk assessments for GB, recommendations of stakeholders such as the British Veterinary Association and Dogs Trust, and recent Parliamentary work from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15020
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Animal welfare Dogs Payments Sales Regulation Smuggling
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk