Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

Thursday 23 February 2023 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Christine Jardine inquired about discussions between the Leader of the House and the government regarding the parliamentary timetable for the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
  • Christine Jardine expressed constituent concerns over secondary legislation restricting the movement of certain dogs and the ongoing issue of puppy smuggling.
  • Desmond Swayne questioned the government about the frustration regarding the delay in addressing live animal export cruelty, noting it is now possible due to the Bill.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Therese Coffey

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific concerns about secondary legislation restrictions on heavily pregnant dogs, young puppies, and dogs with cropped ears.

How: Under Review, Private Members' Bills

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Immigration Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Therese Coffey

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific concerns about secondary legislation restrictions on heavily pregnant dogs, young puppies, and dogs with cropped ears.

How: Private Members' Bills

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Therese Coffey

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address public frustration or provide specific steps towards ending live exports.

How: Manifesto Commitments

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email