MPs debated regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens
4 September 2014
On Thursday 4 September MPs took part in a debate in the House of Commons Chamber relating to an e-petition on the regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was opened by Robert Flello, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South. Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Angela Smith responded for the Opposition. Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens: 4 September 2014
- Read Commons Hansard: MPs debate regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens
Motion for debate
MPs debated the following motion:
"That this House has considered the e-petition relating to the sale of young puppies and kittens; notes that puppies produced at large-scale commercial breeding establishments, known as puppy farms, and irresponsibly-bred kittens are separated from their mothers too early and often transported long distances, and as a result often suffer serious life-threatening problems including impaired immune systems, poor socialisation, infectious diseases and shorter life spans; calls on the Government to review existing legislation to ensure that it is consistent with its own guidance that prospective owners should always see the puppy or kitten with its mother, and to ban the sale of puppies and kittens from retail centres such as pet shops, garden centres or puppy supermarkets; further notes the support of the Blue Cross, Dog Rescue Federation, Dogs Advisory Council, Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club, RSPCA and others for such a ban; and further calls on the Government and welfare organisations to work together to raise awareness among the public about choosing a dog responsibly from only ethical breeders or by adoption from legitimate rescue organisations, and to consider further steps to end the cruel practice of irresponsible and unethical breeding of puppies and kittens in the UK."
This debate relates to the e-petition on the sale of young puppies and kittens.
Relevant documents
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published a report on 15 February 2013. The Government response to the report was published on 17 April 2013.
- Read the Dog Control and Welfare Report, HC 575, Session 2012-13
- Read the Dog Control and Welfare: Government response, Session 2012-13, HC 1092
- Find out more about the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.