To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he intends to introduce Lucy’s Law, or similar legislation, in Northern Ireland.

I can see merit in introducing a law prohibiting the sale of pups and kittens by third parties in Northern Ireland (known as ‘Lucy’s Law’ in England). However, I am conscious that immediate EU exit related legislative pressures provide little scope to introduce a new law at this juncture. I have, however, instructed my officials to progress the matter as resources permit with a view to ensuring that it can be introduced as soon as is possible when those pressures ease.