Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Border Force guidance is for handling detained vehicles which are suspected to be involved in the illegal puppy smuggling industry.

Border Force has extensive powers to examine and control traffic for a wide variety of purposes, and through its work at the border is able to examine vehicles and freight and ensure detections of illegal imports are referred to the most relevant authority or enforcement agency for action.

If live animals are detected, Border Force is responsible for the detention of the animals and vehicle, and then referring to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at the appropriate border control post for further enforcement action.