The Republic of Ireland imports a significant proportion of its gas supplies from GB, so it is important to ensure continued security of supply after the UK has left the EU.

Defra takes the issue of the illegal importation of puppies and abuse of the pet travel scheme seriously. All pet animals entering Great Britain on approved routes under European Union Pet Travel Scheme are subject to documentary and identity checks. These are performed by carrier’s staff or checkers acting on their behalf. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) train and appoint carriers and pet animal checkers. APHA also undertake random audits. Audits carried out in 2015 identified only 1.3% of the animals checked to be non-compliant with pet travel rules. APHA work closely with carriers and pet animal checkers to address any issues identified and provide additional training as required.

We have no current plans to amend the arrangements for checking pet animals at the border. Defra is currently reviewing the operation of the Pet Travel Scheme in England and review includes the pet checking and carrier approval process. As part of the review the Department held a public consultation during the autumn of 2016. We are currently analysing the feedback from the consultation which will be published as part of the overall review in 2017. Since December 2015 APHA Port of Dover staff have been working in partnership with the Dogs Trust to identify, seize and quarantine underage puppies illegally transported into the country.

This Government’s trade policy will position the UK as an open, outward looking economy and a world leader for free and fair trade, maximising opportunities for UK exporters. Protectionist barriers are against the interests of the UK consumer and the wider UK economy.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are not able to provide any data regarding the number of imports from non-EU countries, as these are covered by a commodity code in TRACES which will not allow us to break the species down as far as reindeer for third country imports.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not hold data on how long reindeer survive after they are imported into the UK. Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering and for keepers to fail to ensure their needs are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

See the table below:

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are not able to provide any data regarding the number of imports from non-EU countries, as these are covered by a commodity code in TRACES which will not allow us to break the species down as far as reindeer for third country imports.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not hold data on how long reindeer survive after they are imported into the UK. Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering and for keepers to fail to ensure their needs are met to the extent required by good practice. Defra has a welfare Code for farmed deer which offers guidance on their health and welfare, some of which would also be applicable to reindeer.

See the table below:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 October 2016 to Question 48369 to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Mr Chapman).

According to HMRC trade data, the UK imported 28 million tonnes of animal feed[1] from 94 countries over the last five years (2011-2015). Approximately one third of these imports were soya based.

The top ten countries accounted for approximately four fifths of these imports:

1. Argentina
2. Netherlands
3. U.S.A.
4. Irish Republic
5. France
6. Indonesia
7. Brazil
8. Germany
9. Malaysia

Ukraine

[1] HMRC trade data does not separately identify imports of cattle feed. Therefore these figures relate to imports of all animal feed.

There are EU regulations which ban the importation of cat and dog fur and seal products including fur. The Government will bring forward legislation in the next session that, when enacted, will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and ensure a functioning statute book on the day we leave the EU. This ‘Great Repeal Bill’ will end the authority of EU law and return power to the UK. The Bill will convert existing European Union law into domestic law, wherever practical.

Under the provisons of Article 4.(b)(i) of EC CITES Regulation 338/97 it is a requirement that an export permit is issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country exporting the specimen, and is presented before the UK CITES Management Authority issues an import permit.

Records show in the calendar year 2015,19 CITES import permits were noted as ‘returned used’ for Lion (Panther leo). ‘Returned used’ is the notation used for a confirmed import into the UK. These consisted of :

• 1 Permit for a full body mount
• 5 Permits for shoulder mounts
• 8 Permits for skulls
• 3 Permits for skins
• 1 Permit for claws
• 1 Permit for feet

The figures above relate to licences/authorisations issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Centre for International Trade – Imports.

Trade from the EU in furs/skins does not require APHA documentation and can move on commercial documentation.

Our data retention policy stipulates that we only hold three years’ worth of data hence why we have not provided data for five years as requested.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is not able to specify the number / reason for the import i.e. onward sale or further processing etc. but can supply type and weight:

Raw furskins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers' use)

Hides and Skins

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) do not hold this data. APHA are a Regulatory body and have no statutory powers to seize illegally imported consignments which would fall to the Local Authority.

According to HMRC trade data, the UK imported 174 thousand tonnes of liquid milk in 2015, approximately two thirds of which was imported from the Irish Republic

Further to PQ 55450, the reasons for refusal to grant import permits are as follows:

9 applications were refused because APHA asked for additional information regarding the specimens. As there was no response from applicant the applications were closed and refused.

2 applications were refused because of irregularities surrounding the weight of the specimens (tusks).

1 application was withdrawn and therefore formally refused.

1 application refused as a permit was not required for the requested activity. Personal effects derogation applied.

7 applications refused because imports to the EU of ivory from the source specified in the application is prohibited.

20 applications refused because they were retrospective.

1 application refused as APHA could not be satisfied the specimen was pre-convention.

Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories report their trade through Israel. It is not possible to disaggregate imports from Israeli settlements from other Israeli imports.

HMRC figures show the UK imported 340,000 tonnes of goods from Israel in the 12 months ending September 2016. These goods were worth £1 billion.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not hold information on the total value of ivory imports for which import permits were issued in each of the last five years.

Import permits for bringing ivory into the UK are managed on behalf of Defra by the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The number of permits refused in the last five years is shown below:

On the 21 September 2016 the Secretary of State, announced plans for a ban on sales of modern day ivory – ivory that is less than 70 years old - putting UK rules on ivory sales among the world’s toughest.

The Government will consult on plans for the ban early next year, seeking views from conservationists, traders and other relevant parties to ensure clear rules and guidance for those operating within the law, while cracking down on illegal sales.