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Select committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

First Special Report - Pet welfare and abuse: Government response

Published 20 December 2024

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Pet welfare and abuse Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance

The government's response

This document responds to Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse.

This is the government's response, published 20 December 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".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

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