§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 14 December 2000,Official Report, columns 250–54, on animals, when the Government introduced a ban on the use of dogs in scientific tests; and how this ban was announced. [124422]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienDogs are used in regulated procedures where their use is justified under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. There are no current plans to change the legislation.
The oral statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 14 December 1999, Official Report, columns 250–54, stemmed from a misleading newspaper report in the Sunday Times on 12 December 1999. This report appeared to be based on a misreading of the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, which came into force on 30 December 1999. The Act tightens controls over commercial breeding establishments supplying dogs for the pet trade. It is designed to raise standards of care in puppy farms and stipulates tighter controls on the sale of dogs by dealers and pet shops and stiffer penalties for breeders who flout the law.
Establishments breeding animals for laboratory use are exempt from the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 and will continue to be regulated by the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which requires Home Office inspection and close veterinary supervision.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food wrote on 2 February 2000 to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) about correcting the error. A copy of his letter was placed in the Library.