Debates between Ben Lake and Thérèse Coffey during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ben Lake and Thérèse Coffey
Thursday 28th March 2019

(5 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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Both DEFRA and the Home Office fund the national wildlife crime unit and support its work in investigating crimes. They undertake analysis and share intelligence with police forces. There are six wildlife crime priorities—badgers, bat and raptor persecution, illegal trade in species covered by the convention on international trade in endangered species, poaching and freshwater mussels, but more can be done locally, and I am aware that hare coursing in particular concerns many Members of Parliament.

Ben Lake Portrait Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)
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The Minister will be aware of the devastating impact that dog attacks on livestock can have for farmers. What discussions are the Government having with colleagues about possible amendment to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 to better enable police forces to address the matter?

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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Strictly speaking, livestock is not wildlife, but there are protections and it will really be a case of local communities working together. A lot more could probably be done to educate people about how they control their dogs when they are out on a country walk.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ben Lake and Thérèse Coffey
Thursday 7th December 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Thérèse Coffey
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My hon. Friend makes a good point. The scope of our proposed legislation is so far restricted to African and Asian elephants, but the consultation is still open, so I will take what he says as a submission. We are very keen to see what we can do to protect all endangered species and their habitats, and this may be one way of achieving that.

Ben Lake Portrait Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)
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T8. About half of the veterinary surgeons registering in the UK qualified elsewhere in the EU. Will the Secretary of State tell the House what discussions he is having with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that their vital skills continue to receive due recognition post Brexit? Will veterinary professionals be able to come to the UK and work on exactly the same terms as they currently enjoy?