Every year, thousands of puppies are illegally imported into the UK to be sold via online adverts to unsuspecting dog lovers, having been transported thousands of miles across Europe with little or no food, water or exercise.

I am concerned that there is widespread abuse of the pet travel scheme, where animals are smuggled illegally, often underage, unvaccinated and in poor welfare conditions.  These practices are cruel and must stop.

I have now spent a decade raising this issue with the Government, including writing to Ministers and asking them to move against this terrible trade, to no avail.

I was pleased that the Government’s 2019 manifesto included a commitment to tackling puppy smuggling.  With the Government on board, I had hoped that we could move quickly to address this issue with cross-party action.

However, it wasn’t until 2021 that the Government finally introduced a Bill which included measures to address puppy smuggling; the Kept Animals Bill.  This Bill covered a large array of animal welfare issues which desperately needed to be addressed and, although it had its flaws, it would have constituted a solid step forward.

In 2023, despite having cross-party support, containing several Conservative manifesto pledges, and having already spent over two years being worked on by MPs from across the House, the Government axed the Kept Animals Bill.

In its wake, the Government insisted that several Bills would be introduced to address the issues contained within the Kept Animals Bill individually.  However, months later, the Government has still not brought forward a Bill to address puppy smuggling.

When asked about this, Ministers say:

‘The Government takes the illegal importation of pets seriously.  It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to animals.

‘The Government is committed to delivering the manifesto commitment on puppy smuggling.  We plan to take forward measures to crack down on puppy smuggling as soon as parliamentary time allows.’

I am concerned that the Government will not introduce legislation to address puppy smuggling before the next General Election.  I have therefore written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, and asked him to act swiftly to introduce and pass such legislation

I have posted a copy of this letter below for you to see.