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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the legislative loopholes relating to animal welfare that will be addressed in the Animal Welfare Strategy.

The Animal Welfare Strategy was published on 22 December and sets out our priorities for animal welfare, focusing on the changes and improvements we aim to achieve by 2030.

The strategy identifies the need to address loopholes in current legislation allowing animals to be bred in and sourced from low welfare settings – such as puppy farms, unscrupulous traders, and unsuitable rescue and rehoming centres.

We will continue to work in partnership with stakeholders to understand if new or emerging issues are identified.