To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to address unlicensed dog breeding.

While my Department has responsibility for the legislation that governs dog breeding, it is local councils that are responsible for enforcing the regulations on dog breeding in Northern Ireland. I am satisfied that the legislation already affords substantial protections to dogs at the time of breeding and affords ample powers to local councils to allow them to address instances of illegal dog breeding.

In addition, my Department continues to work with councils and other agencies through the multi-agency ‘Paws For Thought’ Group it has established to address illegal dog breeding. This Group includes representatives the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Harbour Police, local councils and the two main ferry companies.