§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from the RSPCA on the interpretation of the legislation governing hybrid wolves; and what plans he has to meet the RSPCA to discuss these; [6989]
(2) what plans he has to issue new guidelines to local authorities about the interpretation of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, with particular reference to hybrid wolves. [6990]
§ Angela EagleMy hon. Friend the Minister of State has received a letter from the Director General of the RSPCA expressing the Society's concerns about the legislation covering the keeping of wolf hybrids. Officials from my Department will be meeting the Society shortly to discuss this issue.
Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, a licence is required to keep a wolf or a wolf hybrid where one parent is (or both parents are) of a kind so specified in the schedule to the Act. I appreciate that there are detailed arguments about the make up and characteristics of wolf hybrids and there may be different interpretations of the meaning of "hybrid" and "parent" in the context of the Act. A number of local authorities have sought to clarify the position in the Courts. I am aware that a recent Court ruling has confirmed that a licence is required to keep a wolf hybrid under the Act.
I have no immediate plans to issue new guidance on the Act and the keeping of wolf hybrids, but I will wish to consider whether further guidance is required in the light of detailed consideration of the Court ruling and the RSPCA meeting.