Road Traffic Collisions Involving Cats
Debate between Richard Holden and Bell Ribeiro-Addy(1 year, 10 months ago)
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Mr Holden
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing that issue forward. It is an important issue, and I will take it back to the Department and write to him about it.
As I have been saying, we are looking at the holistic, best-practice approach that has been adopted in other countries, and that we have adopted for public health and health and safety legislation, in order to both minimise the impact of road traffic accidents on humans, and prevent further injury and accidents involving animals. For example, not that long ago, when I was in the Department as a special adviser, we brought forward some road signage designed to protect small mammals. The change is something that the Government are prepared to look at, but as I have said, primary legislation would be required.
I would like to speak more broadly on this issue, because Members have brought up different aspects of the legislation, including microchipping, which I would like to touch on.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Just to be clear, the Minister is saying that he is 100% sure that the change has to be made through primary legislation, so what exactly would he be getting back to us about, if that is not flexible?
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
If the change can be made through secondary legislation, will the Minister take steps to bring that forward?
Mr Holden
If the change can be made through secondary legislation, we would have to look at that, but I am assured by officials that it has to be done through primary legislation. That would obviously require a significant piece of legislation to go through both Houses. It is not a quick fix. We then get into timetabling and all sorts of other issues well beyond my remit as a junior Minister. On whether the change can be made through secondary legislation, I will definitely write to the hon. Lady.