Thank you for contacting me about animal welfare.
This country has a long history of leading the way on animal welfare and the last Government was committed to further raising our already world-leading standards by delivering a series of ambitious reforms.
As you may know, there are a significant number of pets imported into the UK every year, with 320,000 brought in under the Pet Travel Scheme, and 44,000 as commercial imports last year.
In the previous parliamentary session, the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill was introduced as a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Selaine Saxby. Unfortunately, despite support from the last Government, the Bill did not complete its passage before the general election.
I note that Danny Chambers MP has reintroduced the Bill in this parliamentary session. The Bill, which includes the same previsions as the previous version of the Bill, has cross-party support and has passed its Second Reading.
The Bill will close existing loopholes exploited by immoral breeders and traders to illegally smuggle cats and dogs into the UK. The Bill also strengthens the Pet Travel Scheme to ensure that no one would be able to fraudulently import animals for sale under the guise of being an owner travelling with their own pets. The Bill will reduce the number of animals that can travel into Great Britain under the scheme from five per person to five per vehicle, or three per foot or air passenger as well as ensure that pet movements take place within five days of the owner’s travel.
I will continue to monitor the progress of the Bill closely.
