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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to introduce a standardised form of inspection for pet shops and dog breeders.

Defra is currently in the process of developing a new single animal activities licensing regime. The regulations will be laid in Parliament before they come into force next year. Pet shops and dog breeders will need to meet statutory minimum welfare standards which reflect the welfare requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Local authorities will need to have regard to supporting statutory guidance to help them apply the standards.