Select committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Conclusion 19
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Published 5 Apr 2024
Paragraph 84
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 Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill proposed a series of measures including a ban on the import of young puppies and heavily pregnant dogs. These would significantly enhance protections for pets, and there is considerable sector and public support for bringing them forward. It is welcome that the Government is supporting upcoming Private Members’ bills on areas including the import of dogs, cats and ferrets. We support these bills and encourage the Government to facilitate their passage through both Houses as quickly as possible.
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse (HC 161), paragraph 84, 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".