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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to minimise the illegal trafficking of puppies.

Defra takes the issue of illegal trafficking of puppies very seriously. The action we have taken to tackle illegal puppy movements covers the key areas in the supply of trafficked puppies. Responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. Where puppies have been discovered to have been moved into the UK using falsely certified pet passport paperwork my officials have raised the issue with authorities in the relevant countries. We also have effective border controls in place. These require all pet animals travelling into Great Britain on approved routes to have documentary and identity checks at the border. There are stringent penalties available against individual found to be breaking the rules by illegally moving dogs into the country.

Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have and continue to work constructively with other government agencies and animal welfare charities to share intelligence on illegal movements of puppies. APHA has provided Border Force officials with the requirements that dogs and puppies entering the UK must meet. APHA works closely with Border Force colleagues to assist them in reducing the illegal trafficking of puppies.

Finally the illegal trafficking of puppies is ultimately driven by demand. Defra has published guidance for consumers on the responsible purchase of pet animals. It has worked closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements making potential pet owners and website operators more aware of rogue dealers and this work will continue.