To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what plans his Department has to create a Government-run pet registration database.

Existing databases relate to the microchipping of dogs. My Department has no evidence to suggest that there are any difficulties with how these database systems currently operate. The requirement to have dog microchip details recorded on a database is also already mandatory in Northern Ireland. I do not, therefore, have any plans to establish a government operated database.

I am, however, aware that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is reviewing the operation of databases in England. Some of the relevant database operators carry out their activities on a UK wide basis. My officials are, therefore, liaising with Defra on its review and will assess any implications it may have for Northern Ireland.