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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has received on reforms to the Pet Travel Scheme to make it harder to smuggle animals into the UK.

Defra actively shares intelligence relating to abuse of the EU pet travel scheme. Evidence collected by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Local Authorities and welfare organisations has led to investigations in other EU countries.

The UK maintains effective border controls and all the relevant agencies work together to target people who systematically abuse the rules.

The illegal trade is ultimately driven by demand. Defra have published guidance on buying a pet and have worked closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements.