Response from Mr Roger Williams MP
Following your recent email, below, I believe
the following questions may qualify as being inadequately answered:
22 Oct 2008
Mr. Williams: To ask the Secretary of State
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(1) what assessment he has made of the levels
of (a) deformity, (b) disability and (c) hereditary disease amongst
(i) pedigree and (ii) other dogs;
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect
of breeding practices on the welfare of pedigree dogs, with particular
reference to consanguinity between breed pairs;
(3) what assessment he has made of the effects
of the rules and regulations of pedigree dog shows on the welfare
of pedigree dogs;
(4) what assessment he has made of the effects
of breed standards on the welfare of pedigree dogs; and if he
will make a statement;
(5) what his policy is on the culling of pedigree
dogs which do not meet breed standards; what estimate he has made
of the number of pedigree dogs (a) culled and (b) neutered on
such grounds in each of the last three years; and if he will bring
forward legislative proposals to ban this practice;
(6) if he will bring forward legislative proposals
to amend breed standards in order to reduce health problems and
improve the welfare and life expectancy of pedigree dogs;
(7) if he will bring forward legislative proposals
to ban (a) inbred dogs, (b) unhealthy dogs and (c) dogs with inherited
diseases from being entered in pedigree shows;
(8) if he will introduce mandatory health checks
for pedigree dogs as a condition of entry into pedigree shows;
(9) if he will review the standards and rules
relating to breed showing for their implications for animal welfare;
(10) what recent representations he has received
on inbreeding in pedigree dogs and its effects on animal welfare;
and if he will make a statement.
Jane Kennedy: The Dogs Trust and the Kennel
Club have jointly announced an independent and wide ranging review
of dog breeding. I will shortly meet with representatives of these
organisations to discuss the assistance that DEFRA can provide
to the review.
17 November 2008
Mr. Williams: To ask the Secretary of
State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the
Answer of 22 October 2008, Official Report, columns 361-2W,
when the Minister of State plans to meet representatives of the
Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust.
Jane Kennedy: Meetings with both organisations
will take place shortly.
November 2008
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