PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Dogs: Imports (9 March 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of proposals of the Dogs Trust to increase the minimum age at which puppies can be imported into the UK from 15 weeks to six months in order to make them less desirable for purchase and make the illegal puppy trade less lucrative for criminals.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

The end of the transition period has opened up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel and commercial importation rules. We are actively listening to the concerns of stakeholders and the Government is considering options to strengthen our efforts to tackle puppy smuggling and prevent the low-welfare importation and movement of these animals including looking at the minimum age of dogs entering Great Britain (GB).

These options will take into consideration the results from our latest disease risk assessments for GB, recommendations of stakeholders such as the British Veterinary Association and Dogs Trust, and recent Parliamentary work from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.

Answered by:
Victoria Prentis (Conservative)
17 March 2021