To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to tackle animal cruelty in puppy farms.

We recently announced that we will modernise the licensing scheme for dog breeding and selling to improve the welfare of dogs, including requiring anyone breeding and selling three or more puppies in a twelve month period to hold a licence; prohibiting the sale of puppies under eight weeks’ of age; imposing tougher animal welfare standards on licensed dog breeders and sellers; and requiring all licensed sellers to include their licence number when advertising.

We aim to have the new regulations in place next year.