Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has raised concerns on the breeding, shipping, killing and eating of dogs in China with the Government of the People's Republic of China.

The UK Government is committed to raising standards of animal welfare at home and abroad. The consumption of dog meat is legal in many countries, including China, and there are no international norms, laws or agreements governing this. We believe that it is necessary to work with Governments around the world to gain agreement on animal welfare standards, and to phase out cruel and inhumane practices. We have raised our concerns regarding the consumption of dog meat in China with the Chinese authorities, including recently with the Chinese Embassy in London, and will continue to raise this and other animal welfare issues.