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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support farmers who suffer from livestock worrying.

The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications. Section 3 of the Animals Act 1971 provides that anyone who is the keeper of a dog which causes damage by killing or injuring livestock will be liable for that damage. Furthermore, farmers can obtain and claim on their insurance in relation to losses incurred as a result of livestock worrying incidents. As highlighted in our 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare, we look forward to progressing the delivery of additional measures to tackle livestock worrying soon.