Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Louie French asked about discussions on the progress of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill with Cabinet colleagues.
  • Louie French sought assurances on exploring measures to increase the minimum age for dogs brought to the UK and prohibit certain imports.
  • Ruth Jones welcomed the new Secretary of State and discussed the impacts of the cost of living crisis on animal welfare charities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was introduced in June 2021 with a focus on strengthening protections for pets, farmed animals, and kept wild animals. It aims to address issues such as puppy and kitten smuggling and pet theft.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the progress of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill? I welcome the Government's commitment to this Bill which introduces landmark protections for pets, livestock, and kept wild animals. Will he provide assurances that Ministers will explore measures such as increasing the minimum age at which dogs can be brought to the UK and prohibiting the importation of heavily pregnant dogs and those with cropped ears?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The kept animals Bill includes powers to introduce restrictions through secondary legislation. A consultation was launched last year proposing measures for commercial and non-commercial movements of dogs into Great Britain, receiving over 20,000 responses. My Department will publish a response in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide assurances that the government would explore specific measures as requested.

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Q2 Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was introduced in June 7, 2021 to introduce landmark protections for pets, livestock, and kept wild animals, addressing issues such as puppy smuggling and pet theft.

Question

I welcome the Government's commitment to this Bill which introduces landmark protections for pets, livestock, and kept wild animals. Will he provide assurances that Ministers will explore measures such as increasing the minimum age at which dogs can be brought to the UK and prohibiting the importation of heavily pregnant dogs and those with cropped ears?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The kept animals Bill includes powers to introduce restrictions through secondary legislation. A consultation was launched last year proposing measures for commercial and non-commercial movements of dogs into Great Britain, receiving over 20,000 responses. My Department will publish a response in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide assurances that the government would explore specific measures as requested.

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Q3 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Tory cost of living crisis is affecting pet owners who are unable to afford their pets' care, leading to an increase in animals being surrendered to shelters. A four-year-old domestic short-hair cat named Frasier was recently taken to Battersea by his heartbroken owner due to financial hardship.

Question

I welcome the new Secretary of State to his place and pay tribute to the previous DEFRA team. I saw the consequences of the Tory cost of living crisis during visits to Battersea in London and RSPCA in Newport, where a four-year-old domestic short-hair cat named Frasier was surrendered by his heartbroken owner due to financial hardship. Will the Secretary of State tell us what plan is being implemented to address this issue?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

First, the Government will cut people's taxes. We are going to let people keep more of their own money. We are going to ensure that people continue to have great jobs in the economy by incentivising investment in our businesses.

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific plan requested for pet owners affected by cost of living crisis.

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