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Animal Welfare

Asked by Shockat AdamIndependentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 25 June 2026UIN 10960

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Department takes to monitor and enforce compliance with disqualification orders for animal ownership.

Answered by Stephen Morgan

Under section 34(9) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is a criminal offence to breach a disqualification order. The police and local authority inspectors have powers to investigate offences and take enforcement action where such orders are breached, and local authorities may bring prosecutions.

In practice, monitoring and enforcement activity is informed by a combination of intelligence and risk led approaches to assess compliance with animal welfare legislation.

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