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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to farmers of dog attacks on farm animals in the last 12 months.

National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual data shows that insurance claims costs of dog attacks on farm animals rose to more than £1.8 million in 2022. In 2022 the National Sheep Association reported that, on average, there was a cost of £1,232 per farmer per year as a result of livestock worrying.

The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause animals and their keepers. The Government is currently supporting a Private Members’ Bill to amend the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The measures in the Bill will greatly strengthen the existing legislation and are vital in tackling the issue of livestock worrying.