Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles writes for the Weekly News:

“Bringing a new pet into the family is a big decision, be it a tiny dwarf hamster, or a fully grown rescue dog. All animals need extensive care and attention and the time required to keep them happy and healthy cannot be underestimated.

“My postbag suggests many people in Brentwood and Ongar are animal lovers, and know only too well the joys and hard work of having a pet of some kind. This is why I received many letters and emails about the recent Parliamentary debate about the breeding and sale of puppies and kittens, with particular concern about young animals being ‘farmed’ for sale with little or no access to their parents within weeks of being born.

“The debate helped clarify the belief that dog breeders only need a licence if they have a bitch producing five or more litters per year. The Department for the Environment discovered that when the relevant Act came into force under the last Government, the Home Office sent a circular indicating this; it is now writing to councils to stress that anyone in the business of breeding dogs must be licenced.

“The issue of selling puppies and kittens in pet shops was considered in detail. Only about 70 pet shops do this, and they are already licensed and regulated. Local authorities have the power to restrict which animals a pet shop can sell.

“Recent Government action shows that much can be achieved without new legislation. I share concerns about unregulated sales over the internet, so am pleased that the Government has acted to create a voluntary code which has resulted in 100,000 adverts being removed since the start of 2014. I was also glad to learn that new guidance on the model conditions for pet vending stress the need for interaction with people.”