Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill 2023-02-23
2023-02-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is a significant piece of legislation aimed at improving animal welfare, but discussions on the parliamentary timetable have not yet been fully disclosed.
What discussions she has had with the Leader of the House on the parliamentary timetable for the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The 2021 commitment to tackle puppy smuggling via the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was welcomed by constituents, but concerns have risen due to secondary legislation restrictions and ongoing issues with puppy smuggling.
Yes, I can give the hon. Lady that assurance. It is our intention to deliver the manifesto commitments, and we are doing that in a number of different ways and have provided legislation to support a number of those commitments through private Members' Bills.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific concerns about secondary legislation restrictions on heavily pregnant dogs, young puppies, and dogs with cropped ears.
Under Review
Private Members' Bills
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised by constituents about the level of puppy smuggling and its impact on animal welfare. The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill includes provisions to restrict the movement of certain dogs, but these have not yet resolved all issues.
Many constituents are concerned because secondary legislation being considered under the frozen Bill includes provisions to restrict the movement of heavily pregnant dogs, young puppies and dogs with cropped ears, and the level of puppy smuggling continues to rise. Can the Secretary of State provide assurances that the Government will continue to work towards ending this horrible practice and the movement of these poor animals across the border?
Yes, I can give the hon. Lady that assurance. It is our intention to deliver the manifesto commitments, and we are doing that in a number of different ways and have provided legislation to support a number of those commitments through private Members' Bills.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific concerns about secondary legislation restrictions on heavily pregnant dogs, young puppies, and dogs with cropped ears.
Private Members' Bills
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a long-standing frustration among the public regarding the inability to address the issue of live animal exports due to EU regulations. The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill now allows for addressing this issue.
For years, we have told people that we could not do anything about the cruelty of live export. Now that it is in our gift and in the Bill, can she understand those people's frustration?
Indeed. That is why it was a commitment in our manifesto: it is a freedom that we will be able to deploy having left the European Union.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address public frustration or provide specific steps towards ending live exports.
Manifesto Commitments
Response accuracy