Dogs: Imports

(asked on 7th September 2020) - View Source

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure enforcement of the Live transport: welfare regulations to prevent pregnant dogs in their last 10 per cent of pregnancy from being imported into the UK.


Answered by
Victoria Prentis Portrait
Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
This question was answered on 10th September 2020

We operate one of the most rigorous border-checking regimes in Europe. When animals are transported for a commercial purpose, their transportation must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare. The current EU Regulation which provides protection for animals during transport sets out those animals which are not considered fit for transport, and this includes those that are in the last 10% of gestation.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) takes an intelligence-led approach at the border aimed at disrupting the illegal trade in dogs. As part of this activity APHA identifies and acts to safeguard the welfare of animals where transport is non-compliant with the requirements of the law.

During 2020, eight dogs were detained by APHA as being in the last 10% of gestation. An additional 11 pregnant bitches not in their last 10% were also detained.

APHA continues to work closely with its local authority enforcement partners to support enforcement action and prosecution of those involved in this trade.

Reticulating Splines