Written questions by Jones.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the impact of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 in potentially reducing the a) financial burden on and b) kennel capacity of i) Scottish Local Authorities and ii) dog homes caring for dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 without court order.

In Defra’s recently published Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government committed to undertake a review to ensure the appropriate tools and frameworks are in place to deliver a proportionate and robust enforcement system. This would include powers to seize or rehome animals where necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to launch the consultation on restricting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in consumer articles.

The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026. This sets out the Government’s approach towards PFAS in consumer articles.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will consider a universal restriction on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026, which sets out our approach towards protecting human health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS. In the recently revised Environmental Improvement Plan, we have committed to reforming UK REACH. This will enable protections to be applied more quickly, more efficiently and more closely aligned with our closest trading partner the EU.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of improving a) research, b) monitoring and c) labelling of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026, which sets out its approach towards protecting human health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS. Research is being commissioned and coordinated across the Government, regulators, academia and industry to close key evidence-gaps on PFAS health, environmental impacts and innovation of alternatives. Defra has funded the Environmental Agency to develop one of the most capable PFAS monitoring programmes globally. Using improved analytical methods and data from a range of sources, it covers water, wildlife, soil and industrial emissions. A number of the most harmful PFAS already have a mandatory classification and labelling for carcinogenicity under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging regime.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to answer 109832 of 4 February 2026 on Animal Welfare: Fines, what conversations she has had with the Leader of the House regarding the planned timetabling for the introduction of legislation to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife.

The commitment to review and look to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife - so they are consistent with higher levels of sentencing available for animal welfare offences against pets and livestock - was made in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025. Any strengthening of penalties for cruelty against wildlife will require primary legislation, and Defra will seek to deliver this change as soon as a suitable primary vehicle is identified. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not yet held conversations with the Leader of the House regarding the planned timetabling for the introduction of this legislation.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2026 to Question 109591 on Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group, what the timetable is for receipt by her Department of the a) findings and b) recommendations from the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce.

The Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce is in the process of finalising its report. We look forward to receiving its findings and recommendations in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what her planned timetable is for a) reviewing and b) strengthening penalties for cruelty against wildlife.

The commitment to review and look to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife - so they are consistent with higher levels of sentencing available for animal welfare offences against pets and livestock - was made in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025. Any strengthening of penalties for cruelty against wildlife will require primary legislation, and Defra will seek to deliver this change as soon as a suitable primary vehicle is identified. The strategy document itself states there is an aim to achieve the changes and improvements set out within it by no later than 2030.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the effectiveness of her Department's engagement with reports produced by the Animal Sentience Committee.

Defra greatly values the work of the Animal Sentience Committee in ascertaining whether, in their view, ministers across Government have appropriately considered how policy decisions might affect the welfare of sentient animals. As required under the Animal Welfare Sentience Act 2022 Defra fulfils its statutory duty by formally responding to those reports that fall within the Department’s remit. Where the Committee makes recommendations, these are considered in future development or implementation of the policy as appropriate.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group last met.

The steering group of the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce last met on 9 December 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what role the Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group has in (a) improving animal welfare and (b) improving public safety.

The Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce is exploring measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. The taskforce is considering four themes: educating the public on how to stay safe around dogs, training for both dogs and their owners, enforcement, and improving data on dog attacks. Defra looks forward to receiving the findings and recommendations from the taskforce in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) reviewing and (b) strengthening penalties for cruelty against wildlife.

The commitment to review and look to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife - so they are consistent with higher levels of sentencing available for animal welfare offences against pets and livestock - was made in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025. The strategy notes the importance of working closely with stakeholders and Defra will engage with partners inside and outside of Government to discuss next steps on delivering the strategy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of fluorinated gases during the planned transition to alternative gases.

The UK Government is consulting on proposed reforms to the GB hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown. The consultation closes on 17 December, and the Department will be carefully considering the responses. The consultation and accompanying De Minimis Assessment outline our modelling assumptions on HFC availability. We have asked respondents to provide feedback on those assumptions.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will meet with the heating, refrigeration and air conditioning industries to discuss the F Gas Regulation in Great Britain consultation.

Officials have been in regular contact with sector representatives during the current consultation on reforming the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown and before it. They welcome further discussions as part of ongoing engagement with the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the hydrofluorocarbons phasedown proposed in the F Gas Regulation in Great Britain consultation allows industry adequate time for safety checks on flammable alternatives to F Gas.

The consultation on reforming the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown seeks views from respondents about potential wider impacts from the proposal. We will take into account responses to those views when making decisions following the consultation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) training and (b) certification of technicians in the use of alternative products during the planned transition away from fluorinated gases.

F-gas regulatory changes, such as training and certification, are out of the scope of the hydrofluorocarbon phasedown consultation but their importance in delivery of the phasedown is recognised. The UK Government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, is committed to further exploring other areas for F-gas reform.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current legal protection regime for decapod crustaceans; and what steps is she taking to strengthen protections of the welfare of decapod crustaceans.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect the welfare of live decapod crustaceans while held in commercial premises prior to sale.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan published by her Department, what assessment she has made of the relative roles of a) intelligence of animal welfare breaches and b) public perceptions in driving animal welfare inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The reference to game birds (p89) in the Multi Annual National Control Plan reflects increased public interest in a relatively new and emerging area of welfare oversight. In contrast, farmed livestock have long been a priority for both regulators and the public.The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) already adopt an intelligence-led, risk-based approach to animal welfare inspections. Intelligence sources include referrals from partners such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA), historical compliance data, and other risk indicators, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest concern.Public interest plays a role, particularly in triggering reactive inspections where complaints or media attention raise concerns about animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will consider increasing the transparency of operations by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in line with the Food Standards Agency's audits of slaughterhouses.

The Government acknowledges the importance of transparency in animal welfare regulation. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) publish details of successful prosecutions in its annual report to Parliament, as required by Section 80 of the Animal Health Act, and Defra publishes APHA regulatory data in the Official Controls report under the Multi-annual National Control Plan (MANCP). The content of these reports is regularly reviewed; however, the Government is not considering introducing additional reporting or audits beyond what is already published.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of public interest on the frequency of animal welfare inspections of livestock farms.

The Annual Report notes that inspection frequency for game bird establishments was increased in response to public interest. This was an exceptional measure for that sector.Public perception is an important consideration, but for livestock farms animal welfare has always been a priority. Inspection frequency is determined through a long-standing, risk-based system using objective factors such as compliance history and intelligence This ensures inspections remain proportionate and focused on areas of greatest risk.The Department remains committed to maintaining high standards of farmed animal welfare and will continue to act promptly where concerns are identified. Animal welfare will always remain a core policy priority for this Government.