Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 4 September 2025.
Matt Vickers
Shadow Minister (Crime, Policing and Fire)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with animal welfare organisations on tackling the misuse of air weapons against pets.
Daniel Zeichner
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra regularly engage with animal welfare organisations on a range of issues. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare, may be banned from owning animals. They may also face an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
