Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Rejected
Paragraph: 26
Whichever of Border Force or APHA takes responsibility for checking pets must be properly resourced,...
Recommendation
Whichever of Border Force or APHA takes responsibility for checking pets must be properly resourced, and the Department should set out what steps it is taking within Government to ensure that this work is appropriately prioritised and resourced.
Government response summary AI-generated
The Government states that responsibility for pet checks will not change from authorised carriers to a government agency and there are no plans for additional funding for local authority risk-based checks, though APHA is working to determine Border Control Post resource requirements for a new 2022 Live Animal Imports regime.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
26
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
APHA is the primary operational delivery agency for pet movements. Defra, Border Force and APHA work collaboratively to share intelligence to support the prevention of illegal imports. Responsibility for conducting pet checks on non-commercial movements is delegated to authorised carriers and pet checkers who can refuse travel to non-compliant animals or share intelligence with APHA who can intercept at the port/border if non-compliance is suspected. Local Authorities are the enforcement and prosecuting bodies for any offences discovered during the process of smuggling puppies. These roles are not anticipated to change following the introduction of measures under the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. APHA is working closely with Defra to determine Border Control Post (BCP) resource requirements and provide capacity in readiness for the new 2022 Live Animal Imports regime. There are no plans to provide Local Authorities with additional funding for risk- based checks at this stage.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗