Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with German Ministers about their proposals to ban certain breeds of dog; and if he will make a statement. [136988]
§ Mr. VazI have not discussed the matter with German Ministers, since such matters are an internal matter for the German authorities.
I understand the German Government have proposed that such measures be considered for adoption as EU legislation. The European Commission doubt there is a legal basis for EU-wide legislation and it seems unlikely that any such proposals will progress. Our policy is that such domestic legislation should remain a matter for member states. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), has already stated that existing United Kingdom law is adequate for both present and future controls in this area.