Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and David Rutley

Thursday 28th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to help improve welfare standards for puppies.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)]

The Government announced in December that we would ban third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England, and the necessary regulations are being prepared. The ban will address welfare concerns associated with the sale of puppies by dealers and pet shops and will build on recent improvements to the licensing of dog breeding and pet sales.

[Nigel Huddleston]

As puppy smuggling is punishable as an animal cruelty offence, will the Minister confirm that legislation to introduce five-year sentences for animal cruelty remains a priority for this Government and will be introduced as soon as possible?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and David Rutley

Thursday 21st February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to improve welfare standards for puppies.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (David Rutley)]

The ban on third-party sales of puppies and kittens is an important step forward in improving welfare standards for puppies in England. When introduced, the ban will address welfare concerns associated with the sale of puppies by dealers and pet shops. It will also crack down on unscrupulous breeders who operate with little regard for animal welfare.

[Nigel Huddleston]

Will the Minister join me in thanking the Dogs Trust for all the work it is doing on the issue of puppy smuggling, and will the Government do all they can to stamp out this despicable trade, including reviewing border enforcement and the pet travel scheme?

[David Rutley]

I welcome the work of the Dogs Trust to highlight the abhorrent issue of puppy smuggling, and I thank it for its support for a ban on third-party sales. The Department is working in close collaboration with the Dogs Trust to tackle puppy smuggling. Our comprehensive approach to this issue encompasses international engagement, enforcement, public communications and tighter regulation. Looking to the future, leaving the EU will open up new approaches to managing our pet travel arrangements.