Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps Border Force is taking to reduce the number of dogs being brought into the UK illegally.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and local authorities lead on enforcement activity to tackle the illegal import of dogs. Border Force works closely with these bodies and will make referrals for enforcement action where such imports are detected.

A National Co-operation Agreement between Border Force and Defra provides a clear framework for co-operation to ensure the effective enforcement of legislation governing animals at the border that are not protected by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), including dogs.