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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 75189 on Pigs: Animal Welfare, how many prosecutions for illegal pig thumping brought by local authorities are being supported by the Animal and Planet Health Agency.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) take all complaints of illegal slaughter, and serious breaches of animal welfare, seriously. On receipt of a complaint, APHA will triage the details provided to determine the action required. The number of
complaints is not publicly available.

Local authorities lead on enforcement and prosecutions with support from APHA where needed to provide veterinary expertise and evidence. Any successful prosecution for welfare offences taken by a local authority is published in the annual Section 80 report under the Animal Health Act 1981 which is laid in Parliament. The data for this report is held and provided by the local authorities.