Select committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Published 5 Apr 2024
Paragraph 45
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 ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The current £100 fine on summary conviction for performing acts of veterinary surgery illegally is a derisory deterrent and is well below the cost of most, if not all, veterinary procedures. The Government should bring the fine for individuals illegally performing acts of veterinary surgery in line with the financial penalties under The Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022. Alongside this, the Government should issue guidance setting out which enforcement body members of the public and veterinary professionals should report concerns to about suspected illegal veterinary surgery.
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse (HC 161), paragraph 45, 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".