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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on pet owners of the loss, misidentification, or inappropriate handling of animal remains by pet cremation service providers; what information her Department holds on complaints relating to such incidents; and whether she plans to introduce additional (a) policies and (b) legislation regarding licensing and inspections for pet crematoria and requiring them to meet enforceable standards on identification, storage and respectful handling of animal remains.

This is an area where the industry regulates itself. The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria represents companion-animal cremation and burial businesses and maintains a code of conduct and provides a voice in relation to legislation. The Code of Practice covers handling, storage and cremation/burial procedures and expressly requires pet remains to be handled with care, respect and dignity.