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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's consultation, Animal welfare: reviewing animal establishments licensing in England, published in December 2015, what the evidential basis was for the conclusion that a ban on third party sales of puppies would lead to the creation of an illegal market.

The Government consulted on changes to the regulations on the breeding and sale of dogs earlier this year. While the Government did not propose a ban on third party sales, some responses were received in relation to this matter. Evidence was also presented to the recent EFRA Committee inquiry by Blue Cross, and The Dogs Trust on the annual demand for puppies and the risks of applying such a ban.