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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of the prohibition of the consumption of dog and cat meat within Great Britain.

HM Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare, including the welfare of dogs and cats.

The United Kingdom is a nation of animal lovers and citizens of this country find the consumption of dog and cat meat inconceivable. HM Government strongly agrees with this view and is appalled by the prospect of dogs or cats being consumed.

HM Government has seen no evidence that dog or cat meat is being sold or consumed in this country.

There are strict rules for food businesses on the slaughter and production of meat for human consumption in the United Kingdom and dog or cat meat would not be permitted under these requirements. We also have specific laws on the sale of food in England which are enforced under the Novel Foods Regulation 2018. These regulations make it an offence to sell dog or cat meat in England.