Select committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Conclusion 1
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Published 5 Apr 2024
Paragraph 7
Addressed to Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Pet welfare and abuse All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The Government’s withdrawal of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill introduced in 2021, has stalled progress on key animal welfare issues. These delays have allowed the continuation of poor animal welfare practices. The then Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs assured us that the Department was “reasonably confident” it will be able to get all of its manifesto commitments into law. We welcome the recent introduction of Bills on welfare measures including livestock worrying; puppy imports; the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets; and pet abduction. We further note that the Government was relying heavily on Members who were successful in the Private Members bill ballot being willing to take on its handout bills to deliver its manifesto promises, rather than committing to bringing forward the legislation itself. While on this occasion it may prove successful, it was nonetheless a risky strategy.
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse (HC 161), paragraph 7, 5 April 2024
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 20 December 2024 (deadline 5 June 2024).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the report and says it is "carefully considering" the recommendations, partially accepting several, rejecting one on penalties for illegal veterinary surgery, and setting out no plans to change some import and border controls "at this time".
- On the dog litter licensing threshold, it "partially accepts" the recommendation but says reducing it "may result in unintended consequences", and is considering the threshold and scope in its post-implementation review of the LAIA Regulations.
- On puppy smuggling and mutilated imports, it "partially accepts" the recommendation and is "fully supportive" of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members' Bill, wanting it to pass "as soon as Parliamentary time allows".
- It "rejects" the recommendation on fines for illegal veterinary surgery, saying existing penalties are higher than suggested in evidence provided to the Committee.
- On rabies testing, it has "no plans to introduce these requirements at this time", and says its future policy "will be guided by risk assessment".