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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will amend the The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 following the 2024 Post-Implementation Review in order to (a) make the breeding of rabbits a licensable activity, (b) require that all rabbits sold are correctly sexed, (c) provide additional resources to local authorities to strengthen enforcement, and (d) place the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rabbits on a statutory footing, in line with the regulatory frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Government published its Animal Welfare Strategy in December 2025, which committed to continuing to work with the sector to drive up welfare standards and improve compliance with the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA) licensing regime, as well as working with local authorities to ensure consistent and effective enforcement.

LAIA already require that anyone in the business of breeding and selling rabbits as pets must obtain a valid licence from their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences.