Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) level of local government or (b) public body or bodies are responsible for the enforcement of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006.
Local authorities are responsible for enforcement where any non-compliance with the animal welfare in transport rules is found and will take prosecution action when serious welfare issues relating to the transport of live animals are identified. The level of local government undertaking enforcement may vary between areas, based on a locally agreed division of responsibilities between the tiers of local government.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) acts as a national regulator for the welfare of animals in transport rules and is able to take regulatory action following non-compliance by transporters. APHA works closely with its local authority enforcement partners to support enforcement action and prosecution of those involved in breaches of the welfare in transport legislation.