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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the statement of 6 February 2013, Official Report, column 15WS, on irresponsible dog ownership, when she intends to bring forward legislative proposals on implementation of compulsory microchipping in England.

The Government will be laying draft regulations shortly to make it compulsory for all dogs in England to be microchipped from 2016. The regulations will be subject to the affirmative procedure before coming into force. Defra is working with all relevant stakeholders to communicate the requirement to dog breeders and owners beforehand.