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Dogs: Smuggling

Asked by Ben MaguireLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 11 December 2024UIN 17736

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to help prevent international puppy smuggling.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

As outlined in our manifesto, we are committed to ending puppy smuggling. The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Dr Danny Chambers MP. The Bill will close loopholes in the non-commercial pet travel rules that are abused by unscrupulous traders and give the government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to Great Britain’s pet market.

We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

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