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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage puppy buyers to seek out Assured Breeders.

Defra has published information on the Government’s official website GOV.UK advising prospective owners how to source a puppy responsibly. It recommends seeking advice on acquiring the puppy from a reputable source such as the Kennel Club and provides a link to their website. We are also updating the laws on breeding and selling dogs. One of the improvements is that licensed breeders who are members of an organisation which has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service will be considered as lower risk and as such may be entitled to a longer licence, unless the local authority finds evidence of poor animal welfare or non-compliance.