To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment the Government have made of (a) the merits and (b) the enforceability of covenants on new homes banning cats and dogs as pets in special protection areas;

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment the Government have made of (a) the merits and (b) the enforceability of covenants on new homes banning cats and dogs as pets in special protection areas;

(2) what assessment the Government have made of the effect of special protection area status on housing developers’ decisions on building new homes with covenants that prevent residents owning dogs or cats.

(2) what assessment the Government have made of the effect of special protection area status on housing developers’ decisions on building new homes with covenants that prevent residents owning dogs or cats.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) on securing the debate and I commend him for the diligence that he has shown in getting to grips with what is a quite complex and technical issue. I am grateful to him for accepting the importance of our...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper) on securing the debate and I commend him for the diligence that he has shown in getting to grips with what is a quite complex and technical issue. I am grateful to him for accepting the importance of our...

May I pick the Minister up on that point? It seems to me that the European regulations do not apply to animals not intended for the food chain. Just so that we are clear, can the Minister confirm whether that is the case, or whether the regulations as implemented in...

May I pick the Minister up on that point? It seems to me that the European regulations do not apply to animals not intended for the food chain. Just so that we are clear, can the Minister confirm whether that is the case, or whether the regulations as implemented in...

There is no exemption under EU law or domestic law for live cattle, whether or not they are considered to be pets. In fact, the German Government have recently been taken to task for their lax implementation of the cohort rule. We would face exactly the same infraction proceedings were...

There is no exemption under EU law or domestic law for live cattle, whether or not they are considered to be pets. In fact, the German Government have recently been taken to task for their lax implementation of the cohort rule. We would face exactly the same infraction proceedings were...

On that point, my office spoke to the company in San Jose, California, yesterday, to check the timetable. The company said that in the next few months, probably by the end of this year, it would be ready to apply to the EU for testing. Therefore, the timetable is perhaps...

On that point, my office spoke to the company in San Jose, California, yesterday, to check the timetable. The company said that in the next few months, probably by the end of this year, it would be ready to apply to the EU for testing. Therefore, the timetable is perhaps...

I should be very surprised if the company were not as keen as most companies are to get its tests validated as soon as possible. It is in its interest to do that, but that does not necessarily mean that it will happen. I think that I am right in...

I should be very surprised if the company were not as keen as most companies are to get its tests validated as soon as possible. It is in its interest to do that, but that does not necessarily mean that it will happen. I think that I am right in...

Before the Minister sits down, he has clearly set out the issues affecting the beef industry, but it is still not clear to me, and it would be helpful if he could explain, what risk there is to public health from allowing Harriet to live, given the family’s assurances, and...

Before the Minister sits down, he has clearly set out the issues affecting the beef industry, but it is still not clear to me, and it would be helpful if he could explain, what risk there is to public health from allowing Harriet to live, given the family’s assurances, and...

I am not a veterinary expert or scientist. I am simply spelling out to the hon. Gentleman the BSE rules and regulations, which are extremely important for the protection of public health, for the prevention of unnecessary deaths of human beings, and crucially—the hon. Gentleman needs to be clear about...

I am not a veterinary expert or scientist. I am simply spelling out to the hon. Gentleman the BSE rules and regulations, which are extremely important for the protection of public health, for the prevention of unnecessary deaths of human beings, and crucially—the hon. Gentleman needs to be clear about...

The debate has a rather long-winded title on the Order Paper which was necessary to comply with our friends in the Table Office. It is about the future of Harriet the cow. She is a pet cow owned by my constituents Mr. and Mrs. Price, who live near Newent. Harriet...

The debate has a rather long-winded title on the Order Paper which was necessary to comply with our friends in the Table Office. It is about the future of Harriet the cow. She is a pet cow owned by my constituents Mr. and Mrs. Price, who live near Newent. Harriet...

The debate is very specific and I want to offer the hon. Gentleman my full support in his quest to ensure that the Government give way in favour of his constituents and Harriet. Will he acknowledge that there is potentially a further threat to owners of animals such as Harriet...

The debate is very specific and I want to offer the hon. Gentleman my full support in his quest to ensure that the Government give way in favour of his constituents and Harriet. Will he acknowledge that there is potentially a further threat to owners of animals such as Harriet...

Thank you, Mr. Martlew, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I have explained at some length why I do not think that Harriet falls within the cohort definition required by the European regulations. A further, more general point—it would be helpful for the Minister to respond to...

Thank you, Mr. Martlew, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I have explained at some length why I do not think that Harriet falls within the cohort definition required by the European regulations. A further, more general point—it would be helpful for the Minister to respond to...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy regulations and pet cows.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy regulations and pet cows.

These are technical amendments to ensure consistency with the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

These are technical amendments to ensure consistency with the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

Lords amendment No. 66 deals with: "““Functions in connection with entry under section 19””." It set out powers including the power to"““inspect an animal found on the premises””," the power to"““remove a carcass””" and the power to"““take a photograph of anything on the premises.””" However, I do not see a...

Lords amendment No. 66 deals with: "““Functions in connection with entry under section 19””." It set out powers including the power to"““inspect an animal found on the premises””," the power to"““remove a carcass””" and the power to"““take a photograph of anything on the premises.””" However, I do not see a...

Under Lords amendment No. 64, a warrant may authorise persons to accompany an inspector. Will the Minister clarify whether the warrant will have to specify the names of such people? Will he also clarify whether a person accompanying an inspector will need to identify himself, as the inspector will have...

Under Lords amendment No. 64, a warrant may authorise persons to accompany an inspector. Will the Minister clarify whether the warrant will have to specify the names of such people? Will he also clarify whether a person accompanying an inspector will need to identify himself, as the inspector will have...

I thought perhaps that if the Minister gave way to me, his brain might catch up with him—and it has.

I thought perhaps that if the Minister gave way to me, his brain might catch up with him—and it has.

Perhaps the right hon. Lady will be able to help me.

Perhaps the right hon. Lady will be able to help me.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

With leave of the House, I should like to respond first to the hon. Member for Leominster (Bill Wiggin). I am afraid that I cannot confirm whether a person will need to be named in the circumstances that he outlined. However, under paragraph 3, the warrant holder will have to...

With leave of the House, I should like to respond first to the hon. Member for Leominster (Bill Wiggin). I am afraid that I cannot confirm whether a person will need to be named in the circumstances that he outlined. However, under paragraph 3, the warrant holder will have to...