Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Cunningham and James Paice

Thursday 12th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

14. How many inspections have been carried out by her Department’s zoo inspectors since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice)]

According to our records, from 1 May 2010 to 9 May 2011 DEFRA’s nominated zoo inspectors carried out 59 inspections. This is a matter for local authorities, however, and sadly they do not always inform us when inspections take place.

[Mr Cunningham]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Can he give me the figures for the inspection of circuses as well?

[Mr Paice]

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, there has been a lot of speculation about circuses. There have been recent press reports that the Austrian Government have been taken to court for their attempt to ban wild animals in circuses, so our Government can hardly recommend something that might not be legal. I can assure him, however, that the proposals we will bring forward shortly will be tough enough to ensure that animal welfare in circuses is properly protected.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Cunningham and James Paice

Thursday 4th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Paice]

As I have said, that proposition and many others are being considered by my noble Friend, and he will make his announcement shortly. My hon. Friend needs to recognise that to take that approach would require an immense amount of regulation and control about who was able to purchase dogs, which would then feed back through the whole supply chain of puppies and become quite a mammoth undertaking. Nevertheless, it is worth considering, as with all other propositions.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on reform of the common agricultural policy.