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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the breeding of dogs with severe genetic health problems.

In February 2018, the Government laid before Parliament The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. The new regulations will require all licensed dog breeders not to breed from a dog if, by doing so, it could be reasonably expected on the basis of its genotype, phenotype or state of health to have a detrimental effect on its health or welfare or welfare of its offspring. The regulations, which were debated in both Houses, will come into force on 1 October 2018 and will be enforced by local authorities.