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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he take steps with representatives of the animal welfare sector to help prevent increases in demand for animal rescue services as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Defra is in regular contact with the companion animal rescue and rehoming sector. The Minister for Animal Welfare, Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, has met the CEOs of the main companion animal welfare charities to discuss the effects of Covid-19 on the sector.

Defra has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure that there has been helpful and effective guidance available to enable animal rescue and rehoming and charitable activities to continue operating as far as possible, during the various phases of Coronavirus restrictions. As we ease the restrictions, we are conscious that this may have an impact on animal rescue and rehoming. We will continue to work closely with the sector to understand their needs.