§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about German plans to ban the breeding and importing of certain breeds of dogs. [133575]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have been asked to reply.
I have received many letters on this subject from dog breeders and owners in this country, and from their Members of Parliament and interested organisations. A particular concern has been a proposal by the German authorities for European Union (EU) legislation on dangerous dogs.
The United Kingdom Government cannot interfere in the internal law-making processes of other countries, but we are opposed to the idea of EU legislation on dangerous dogs. We certainly could not agree to any EU measures which would require us to bring in laws on this matter 92W more stringent than those we have at present, which we consider adequate for present and future control needs in this country.