To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the issue of puppy smuggling and other illegal importation of pets to Northern Ireland.

My Department undertakes risk based checks on consignments of dogs and other animals entering Northern Ireland at Belfast and Larne ports, working collaboratively with commercial ferry operators and other enforcement agencies in order to prevent illegal movements. There is no evidence or intelligence to suggest there has been any increased illegal importation of pets into Northern Ireland as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.