To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the animal welfare sector on statutory regulations in regard to tackling the illegal puppy trade.

The movement and breeding of pups is already regulated by robust legislation that criminalises the activity involved in the illegal puppy trade. While I have not had any discussions with the animal welfare sector regarding that legislation, I am committed to addressing this abhorrent practice, and my Department regularly receives intelligence regarding potentially illegal trade from the animal welfare sector which is used by the relevant enforcement bodies.

To that end, my Department has also been co-ordinating the actions of a number of statutory agencies to disrupt illegal movement of low welfare pups and dogs via Northern Ireland as part of the ‘Paws For Thought' campaign.