Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to prohibit the sale of brachycephalic dogs.

We are tightening the laws on the breeding and sale of dogs. We will propose that dog breeders licensed by local authorities should not breed from dogs where it can reasonably be expected that this will be detrimental to the health or welfare of the dog or its offspring. This should stem from consideration of the dog’s genotype, phenotype or state of health. This should reduce the number of dogs suffering from conditions affecting their welfare.

Anyone knowingly selecting and breeding animals with genetics leading to extreme conformations that cause pain, suffering or distress could be committing an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.