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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the administration of the new animal activities licence on shops and businesses holding or selling reptiles and related species.

Defra held meetings with stakeholders including the Federation of British Herpetologists during the drafting of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations). These discussions helped to inform us of the effect of the Regulations on all affected businesses. An impact assessment was carried out, as required with all new regulations.