Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Carswell Excerpts
Thursday 29th January 2015

(9 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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My hon. Friend makes a good point. Our exports of wine have now exceeded £100 million for the first time, and we are exporting to France and Australia. I will certainly discuss the issue with the Chancellor.

Douglas Carswell Portrait Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP)
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10. What steps she has taken to ensure that people are aware that by 2016 it will be a legal requirement to microchip their dog.

George Eustice Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice)
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The draft Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 have recently been debated in both Houses and will come into force shortly. The regulations require that all keepers of dogs must, by April 2016, have their dogs microchipped. Welfare groups and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have already taken steps to raise awareness of that requirement, and DEFRA will continue to work closely with vets and charities to highlight the new requirement.

Douglas Carswell Portrait Douglas Carswell
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In a number of western countries where microchipping has been compulsory, fewer dogs are microchipped than in the UK where it has been voluntary. What is the maximum penalty that will be imposed on anyone who fails to comply?