§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what statutory powers she has to ban the sale of electric shock dog collars; [163525]
(2) how many electric shock dog collars were sold in the last year for which figures are available; [163526]
(3) what representations she has received in the last three months regarding the (a) sale and (b) use of electric shock dog collars; [163527]
(4) what assessment her Department has made of the effect on a dog of the use of an electric shock dog collar. [163528]
§ Mr. BradshawDefra is currently reviewing the legislation relating to the welfare of captive and domestic animals with the intention of introducing an Animal Welfare Bill into Parliament in the fourth legislative session. It is intended that any new legislation should include a power for the Secretary of State to prohibit or restrict the sale and use of certain devices used on animals. Any proposal to prohibit or restrict the sale and use of any device should be based on scientific evidence. As there is currently no such evidence available in respect of electronic training devices for animal, it is not currently proposed that any restrictions should be put in place.
Figures for the sale of electronic training devices for animals are not held centrally. The Department has received occasional representations from members of the public and organisations both opposed to and in support of the use of these devices.