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Commons Chamber
Import of Dogs
1st reading - Tue 19 Sep 2023
No Department present

Mentions:
1: Elliot Colburn (CON - Carshalton and Wallington) years, my constituents have been getting in touch with me about the issue of cropped ears and puppy smuggling - Speech Link


Written Question
Cats: Smuggling
Monday 20th November 2023

Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce cat and kitten smuggling from overseas.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Criminal offences already exist for cats and kittens brought into this country in breach of current import requirements.

In autumn 2021 we consulted on further proposed changes to the rules governing the commercial and non-commercial movement of cats, dogs and ferrets into Great Britain.

The consultation sought views on whether maintaining the existing requirements in relation to cats was the right approach. We are carefully reviewing the feedback from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders in the animal welfare sector, including Cats Protection, and a summary will be published in due course.


Departmental Publication (News and Communications)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dec. 04 2023

Source Page: New legislation set to ban live animal exports
Document: Action Plan for Animal Welfare (PDF)

Found: For pets, microchipping became mandatory for dogs in 2015, we modernised our licensing system for a


Written Question
Dogs: Smuggling
Wednesday 24th April 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is taking steps to enhance the enforcement capabilities at borders to prevent the smuggling of puppies and kittens into the UK.

Answered by Tom Pursglove

Border Force’s number one priority is to keep our borders safe and secure, and we will never compromise on this. Border Force officers work tirelessly, working closely with law enforcement agencies to share intelligence.

Border Force has extensive powers to examine and control traffic for a wide variety of purposes, and through its work at the border is able to examine vehicles and freight and ensure detections of illegal imports are referred to the most relevant authority or enforcement agency for action.

If live animals are detected, Border Force is responsible for the detention of the animals and vehicle, and then referring to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at the appropriate border control post for further enforcement action.


Written Question
Dogs: Smuggling
Wednesday 12th July 2023

Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions officials in her Department has had with (a) other Government Departments and (b) third-party stakeholders on policy formation on tackling puppy smuggling.

Answered by Trudy Harrison

Defra officials have regular discussions with other Government Departments, including Border Force, and third-party stakeholders such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, on policy formation on tackling puppy smuggling.


Bill Documents
11 Apr 2024 - Briefing papers
Research Briefing on the Bill
Pet Abduction Act 2024

Found: Authors Georgina Sturge, Pet theft statistics, Social and General Statistics Image Credits Happy dogs


Deposited Papers
Home Office

Mar. 01 2010

Source Page: International Challenges, International Solutions: Managing the movement of people and goods. 32 p.
Document: DEP2010-0542.pdf (PDF)

Found: ect this: We will protect our border and our national interestsWe will tackle border and tax fraud, smuggling


Westminster Hall
Legislation on Dangerous Dogs - Mon 27 Nov 2023
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Mentions:
1: Nick Fletcher (Con - Don Valley) the breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. - Speech Link
2: Nick Fletcher (Con - Don Valley) We have banned other dogs in the past, and these dogs are obviously dangerous, so who would not want - Speech Link
3: Neil Hudson (Con - Penrith and The Border) such as the iniquitous existence of puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders.We also need to tackle puppy smuggling - Speech Link
4: Anna Firth (Con - Southend West) attacking their dogs. - Speech Link


Select Committee
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Oral Evidence Nov. 28 2023

Inquiry: Post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, including abuse and mutilation
Inquiry Status: Closed
Committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (Department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Found: Q25 Dr Hudson: Coming back to the point about private Members’ Bills, if pet smuggling, ear cropping


Westminster Hall
Importation and Sale of Foie Gras - Tue 24 Oct 2023
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Mentions:
1: Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) ensuring that animal welfare standards are not compromised in trade deals; to cracking down on the illegal smuggling - Speech Link
2: Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) launched the dedicated Committee to work on it; we have made microchipping compulsory for cats as well as dogs - Speech Link