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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with breeders deemed low-risk in the new dog breeding regulations on the effect of those regulations on those breeders.

Defra is developing revised regulations on dog breeding and other licensable animal activities in close liaison with key stakeholders including members of the Canine and Feline Sector Group. Underpinning the new regulations will be a risk-based system whereby those deemed low risk will benefit from longer licences, fewer inspections and a lower fee. The risk based system is being developed by key stakeholders including those that represent dog breeders. No specific discussions have taken place with dog breeders themselves but the proposals have been widely consulted upon.