Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish guidance on (a) how many dogs may be walked by one professional dog walker at one time and (b) other issues relating to professional dog walking.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Professional dog walkers must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and other relevant legislation. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has published best practice guidance to assist dog walkers which can be found here: https://www.cfsg.org.uk/. Some local authorities have introduced licensing schemes for professional dog walkers and often apply CFSG’s guidance or produce their own.
The guidance published to support the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) 2018 Regulations places limitations on dog walking undertaken as part of the dog breeding or dog boarding activities. The guidance limits the number of dogs walked in these circumstances to six. The guidance also requires licensees secure the owner’s consent to their dog being walked in a group, and to ensure that dogs are familiarised with each other beforehand. The Government has no current plans to issue additional guidance.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing the draft regulations proposed following the UK fresh produce sector: review of the supply chain, published on 14 December 2023.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government will deliver a resilient and healthy food system, with a new deal that ensures fairness in the supply chain across all sectors, including the fresh produce supply chain. Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products and the Government is committed to tackling contractual unfairness wherever it exists.
We will soon share proposals building on the consultation with industry, and will continue to work closely with stakeholders from the fresh produce sector on the best way to achieve this.