That this House notes with concern the findings of The Puppy Smuggling Scandal report by Dogs Trust which was the result of a six-month investigation into the illegal entry of dogs into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS); further highlights the documented exploitation of the 2012 changes to PETS; and welcomes the report's recommendations to the Government that it should develop and implement an action plan to address the abuse of PETS and the number of undeclared dogs entering the UK every day, ban the importation of puppies under the age of six months into the UK under PETS, create a centrally-accessible database logging pets' microchip numbers at the point of entry into the UK so that it can be traced when and how a dog has entered the country, and actively encourage cross agency working and develop an intelligence system specifically to record and share data in respect of illegally-traded commercial consignments of animals.

That this House notes with concern the findings of The Puppy Smuggling Scandal report by Dogs Trust which was the result of a six-month investigation into the illegal entry of dogs into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS); further highlights the documented exploitation of the 2012 changes to...

That this House welcomes Royal Mail's Dog Awareness Week supported by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust which takes place between 30 June and 4 July 2014; notes that over 3,000 Royal Mail postmen and women alone were attacked by dogs between April 2012 and April 2013; further welcomes the change in law amending the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which came into force on 13 May 2014; further notes that postmen and women delivering the universal service obligation, six days a week to circa 29 million addresses across the UK, and other public service workers are now protected in law should they be attacked on private property; further welcomes the work being done by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust and Royal Mail to promote responsible dog ownership; and calls on dog owners not to forget that during the summer months postmen and women and others will be in the community carrying out their jobs and should be able to do so without fear of being attacked by a dog.

That this House welcomes Royal Mail's Dog Awareness Week supported by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust which takes place between 30 June and 4 July 2014; notes that over 3,000 Royal Mail postmen and women alone were attacked by dogs between April 2012 and April 2013; further...

That this House is deeply concerned that dog attacks killed 14 people between 2005 and February 2013, including eight children; welcomes the Government's commitments to introduce universal microchipping and extend the law governing dangerous dogs to cover private property and its increasing emphasis on deed not breed; further welcomes the commitment to introduce measures to tackle irresponsible dog ownership before dogs cause harm; urges the Government to go further and tackle the root problem of abandonment; and calls for urgent measures to review dog breeding legislation to address unlicensed breeders and introduce regulations for the advertising and selling of pets.

That this House is deeply concerned that dog attacks killed 14 people between 2005 and February 2013, including eight children; welcomes the Government's commitments to introduce universal microchipping and extend the law governing dangerous dogs to cover private property and its increasing emphasis on deed not breed; further welcomes the...

That this House welcomes the call made by the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee for an amnesty of three years on cross-compliance penalties relating to electronic identification of sheep and goats; notes that the committee made this call because this is a new and complex technology which will require some time for farmers to become accustomed to and for the systems to be road-tested; believes that such an amnesty would remove the current threat of high fines which Scottish farmers and crofters face as they struggle to cope with technology which has been shown to be far from perfect; and calls on the Government to seek the agreement of the European Commission for the early introduction of such an amnesty in the UK.

That this House welcomes the call made by the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee for an amnesty of three years on cross-compliance penalties relating to electronic identification of sheep and goats; notes that the committee made this call because this is a new and complex technology which will require some time...

That this House recognises that the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 needs reviewing by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in order to allow the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) broader and more up-to-date powers; further recognises that despite the excellent care generally provided by veterinary surgeons things can go wrong; further recognises that the current RCVS complaints procedure is limited to instances of professional misconduct, but has been made as robust, fair, objective and transparent as possible; considers that service users have a right to such a procedure in all respects; and welcomes the RCVS council's decision to make the case for a legislative reform order to change its disciplinary machinery pending a new Veterinary Surgeons Act.

That this House recognises that the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 needs reviewing by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in order to allow the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) broader and more up-to-date powers; further recognises that despite the excellent care generally provided by veterinary surgeons things...

That this House welcomes the extra ??10 million investment from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and the Scottish Government for research and investigation into the decline in British honey bee and other insect pollinator numbers; believes that the severity of the immediate health problems facing honey bees demands that a significant proportion of this funding is allocated straight away to tackle honey bee population decline; gives its full backing to the Sussex Plan for Honey Bee Health and Well-being, which aims to breed disease-resistant hygienic honey bees, decode dances to determine where worker honey bees are foraging, test and develop European and North American Varroa control methods under British conditions, and monitor hives for pathogens and other causes of mortality; and calls on the Government to give a proportion of this additional funding to research into honey bee health, such as the Sussex Plan to help determine what is harming honey bees and how best to maintain the health and well being of the UK's most important pollinating animal.

That this House welcomes the extra ??10 million investment from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and the Scottish Government for research and investigation into the decline in British honey bee and...

That this House supports the Co-operative's Plan Bee campaign to raise awareness of the dramatic demise of bees and the various disorders and diseases threatening honeybee hives; notes that although in the UK bees contribute ??165 million a year to the economy, this is only a small part of their contribution to sustaining the country's way of life and the way the planet functions, including their crucial role in pollinating some 90 commercial crops worldwide; further notes that the British Beekeepers Association survey revealed that 30 per cent. of the UK's 240,000 honeybee hives were lost in the winter and spring of 2008 compared to normal yearly losses of around five to 10 per cent., welcomes the Co-operative's pledge of ??150,000 for research into the causes behind the decline of the honeybee and its 10-point plan on prohibiting the use of a group of eight pesticides on own-brand fresh produce, trialling a wildflower seed mix to attract honeybees and raising awareness of the plight of the UK honeybee; welcomes the Government's efforts to tackle the problems; and calls on the Government to redouble those efforts.

That this House supports the Co-operative's Plan Bee campaign to raise awareness of the dramatic demise of bees and the various disorders and diseases threatening honeybee hives; notes that although in the UK bees contribute ??165 million a year to the economy, this is only a small part of their...

That this House is concerned that over 97,000 dogs are picked up as strays by local authorities annually; congratulates Speaking Out for Animals, the animal action club at Thorpe House School, Norwich for campaigning hard to promote the mandatory microchipping of dogs as a means of reducing the huge numbers of strays and for its work to promote responsible pet ownership; commends the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and other animal charities for microchipping all dogs at point of adoption; believes that microchipping should be compulsory for all dogs at the point of sale; and urges the Government to introduce legislation on the mandatory microchipping of dogs.

That this House is concerned that over 97,000 dogs are picked up as strays by local authorities annually; congratulates Speaking Out for Animals, the animal action club at Thorpe House School, Norwich for campaigning hard to promote the mandatory microchipping of dogs as a means of reducing the huge numbers...

That this House notes with concern the threat to the UK bee population, valued commercially at approximately ??165 million by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, posed by an increase in reported cases of colony collapse disorder and resistance to the chemical treatment for the varroa destructor mite; further notes that Scottish bee farmers, who run 25 per cent. of the UK's commercial hives, are particularly vulnerable as the alternative treatment for the varroa mite requires an ambient temperature of over 15 degrees centigrade; observes that the limited diagnostic and follow-up service for bee health matters in Scotland comprises only four bee inspectors; calls for greater coordination between Westminster and Holyrood to solve this national problem; and welcomes the support of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association and Bee Farmers' Association for greater funding for research into ways of combating the threats to Scottish hives.

That this House notes with concern the threat to the UK bee population, valued commercially at approximately ??165 million by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, posed by an increase in reported cases of colony collapse disorder and resistance to the chemical treatment for the varroa destructor...

That this House welcomes the arrival of two peregrine falcons to the Palace of Westminster; notes that peregrine falcons are a protected species; further notes that peregrines breed in late March and April and congratulates the Palace authorities and Natural England on providing a nesting box for the pair; and wishes these two new residents all the best in their new home and hopes there will soon be a clutch of eggs.

That this House welcomes the arrival of two peregrine falcons to the Palace of Westminster; notes that peregrine falcons are a protected species; further notes that peregrines breed in late March and April and congratulates the Palace authorities and Natural England on providing a nesting box for the pair; and...

That this House recognises the importance of the UK bee population, responsible for pollinating 70 per cent. of the food eaten in the UK and valued commercially at approximately ??165 million by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; expresses concern at the threat posed by an increase in reported cases of colony collapse disorder and resistance to the chemical treatment for the varroa destructor mite; is deeply concerned that since the winter of 2007 there has been a 30 per cent. reduction in the bee population; is dismayed that the budget for commissioned bee health research and development is lower in real terms now than in 2001 despite the risk to the bee industry increasing; and calls on the Government to provide more funding for research into ways of combating the threats to British hives.

That this House recognises the importance of the UK bee population, responsible for pollinating 70 per cent. of the food eaten in the UK and valued commercially at approximately ??165 million by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; expresses concern at the threat posed by an increase in...

That this House recognises the economic and financial difficulties the sheep industry in the UK is facing; considers that sheep farming is a very important part of the social, environmental and economic fabric of rural areas of the UK; notes that the European Commission's proposals for the introduction of electronic identification devices for sheep in the UK is untimely; and further notes that the technology required for its successful operation is not fully developed, the equipment is costly and that there remain insurmountable, practical animal husbandry barriers to its successful introduction and operation in the UK and other EU member states.

That this House recognises the economic and financial difficulties the sheep industry in the UK is facing; considers that sheep farming is a very important part of the social, environmental and economic fabric of rural areas of the UK; notes that the European Commission's proposals for the introduction of electronic...

That this House calls for local authorities to introduce routine scanning of domestic animals including cats and dogs killed on roads; recognises the upset caused to families, particularly those with children when a pet goes missing; and seeks to ensure that micro-chipped pets are reported to their owners.

That this House calls for local authorities to introduce routine scanning of domestic animals including cats and dogs killed on roads; recognises the upset caused to families, particularly those with children when a pet goes missing; and seeks to ensure that micro-chipped pets are reported to their owners.

That this House notes with concern that since 1997 bovine tuberculosis has cost the taxpayer well in excess of ??600 million and resulted in the slaughter of over 200,000 cattle; notes that it is likely a record total approaching 40,000 head will be slaughtered in 2008; deplores the lack of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the disease; believes that a package of measures is required which addresses both cattle-to-cattle transmission and the reservoir of infection in wildlife; urges the urgent trialling of vaccines and the polymerase chain reaction test to identify live vectors of the disease; and calls on the Government to take the practical measures necessary to reduce the toll of bovine TB on wildlife, cattle and the British farming industry.

That this House notes with concern that since 1997 bovine tuberculosis has cost the taxpayer well in excess of ??600 million and resulted in the slaughter of over 200,000 cattle; notes that it is likely a record total approaching 40,000 head will be slaughtered in 2008; deplores the lack of...

That this House recognises that the UK is the largest producer of sheepmeat within the EU; appreciates that most sheep production is in upland areas where there are few alternative enterprises; notes that the requirement for compulsory electronic identification (EID) of all sheep under EU Directive 21/2004 may be possible for small lowland flocks but is in practice unachievable in extensive large upland flocks which rely on batch movement; believes that this requirement will cause another extra cost imposition on all producers which will make an already marginal enterprise uneconomic; does not see any benefit to food safety or disease control from such a measure; and calls upon the Government to insist on a derogation to make EID voluntary within the UK.

That this House recognises that the UK is the largest producer of sheepmeat within the EU; appreciates that most sheep production is in upland areas where there are few alternative enterprises; notes that the requirement for compulsory electronic identification (EID) of all sheep under EU Directive 21/2004 may be possible...

That this House strongly encourages the use of microchips as the preferred means of permanent identification for domestic pets; acknowledges that the microchip system can only be fully effective if animals are scanned regularly, which is particularly the case for pets that have been stolen and sold on; commends and fully supports the work of Vets Get Scanning, its founder Debbie Matthews and patron Bruce Forsyth CBE, who have campaigned tirelessly in encouraging all veterinary practices to scan routinely all new patients and retrieved and rescued animals to ensure that no chip remains undetected and that known chips remain functional; and endorses the work of the Microchip Advisory Group and Petlog on their success in helping to return hundreds of lost and stolen dogs and cats to their rightful owners.

That this House strongly encourages the use of microchips as the preferred means of permanent identification for domestic pets; acknowledges that the microchip system can only be fully effective if animals are scanned regularly, which is particularly the case for pets that have been stolen and sold on; commends and...

That this House calls for local authorities to introduce routine scanning of domestic animals including cats and dogs killed on roads; recognises the upset caused to families, particularly those with children when a pet goes missing; and seeks to ensure that micro-chipped pets are reported to their owners.

That this House calls for local authorities to introduce routine scanning of domestic animals including cats and dogs killed on roads; recognises the upset caused to families, particularly those with children when a pet goes missing; and seeks to ensure that micro-chipped pets are reported to their owners.

That this House is concerned by reports of the harm caused by puppy trafficking; congratulates The Kennel Club on its exposure of this problem and its enforcement of strict rules on breeders in the UK; welcomes the caring approach to puppy farming by responsible UK breeders and notes the excellent work undertaken on this issue by the RSPCA, particularly in respect of puppies imported, often from Eire, in a poor state of health and misdescribed in advertisements; and calls on the Government to review policy in this area in order to improve the welfare of farmed puppies and to protect the interests of future puppy owners.

That this House is concerned by reports of the harm caused by puppy trafficking; congratulates The Kennel Club on its exposure of this problem and its enforcement of strict rules on breeders in the UK; welcomes the caring approach to puppy farming by responsible UK breeders and notes the excellent...

That this House congratulates the European Parliament proposition to ban cat and dog fur imports; believes that the wider consequences of the ban would be positive, including the impact on the Chinese fur business and the prevention of thousands of animals suffering; and approves the wider message to fur exporting countries that the European Union is united in action to improve international animal welfare.

That this House congratulates the European Parliament proposition to ban cat and dog fur imports; believes that the wider consequences of the ban would be positive, including the impact on the Chinese fur business and the prevention of thousands of animals suffering; and approves the wider message to fur exporting...

That this House notes with urgent concern the Government's decision to approve China's application to legalise purchasing of ivory stockpiles from Africa; is concerned that the licence will provide myriad opportunities for illicit ivory to be laundered into legal stock and will increase the already tragic number of 20,000 elephants being illegally killed across the African continent; and condemns the decision to bow to political pressure regarding relations with China rather than using Great Britain's position as European representative on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) committee to make a stand for positive international wildlife protection.

That this House notes with urgent concern the Government's decision to approve China's application to legalise purchasing of ivory stockpiles from Africa; is concerned that the licence will provide myriad opportunities for illicit ivory to be laundered into legal stock and will increase the already tragic number of 20,000 elephants...