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 had recent discussions with representatives of the animal charity sector on the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals for the regulation and licensing of animal rescue centres.

We do not have precise numbers available of the charities that have expressed an opinion on the regulation of animal rescue homes over the last five years. However, Defra is aware that animal rescue homes have expressed views on both sides of the argument in relation to the regulation of such establishments. Ministers have not held any recent discussions with animal charities about the regulation of animal rescue homes.