Meeting of the Parliament 25 June 2025
The Covid pandemic highlighted an already well-known issue relating to the legal import of dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK. During the pandemic, such imports rose by nearly 60 per cent as demand for puppies rose considerably. More noticeably, the pandemic highlighted the fact that the problem that exists with legal entry routes for animals such as dogs and cats brings with it a significant risk to welfare.
As I understand it, a single individual can import five puppies or kittens non-commercially into the UK. In theory, that would enable five individuals in a single vehicle to import 25 puppies or kittens with minimal border checks. The RSPCA and Cats Protection have both highlighted that such non-commercial imports have been a significant concern for years and have served as a major route for the entry of illegal puppies and kittens into Great Britain.
The bill will crack down on puppy and kitten smuggling by closing loopholes that have been exploited by unscrupulous commercial traders. It will ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months, as well as the import of dogs and cats that are mutilated or heavily pregnant. It will also address the current abuse of non-commercial rules that compromises animal welfare and biosecurity by making it more difficult and less profitable for traders to fraudulently import animals for sale under the guise of owners who are travelling with their own pets.
The Scottish Conservatives welcome the bill and the closing of those loopholes, and we strongly support the motion. However, I impress on the minister the concerns that were raised earlier by my colleague Finlay Carson, which the minister has just touched on. The truncated period that has been provided to the Parliament for consideration of the LCM has had an impact on parliamentary scrutiny.