Legislative Consent: Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to make provision for and in connection with restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

The Legislative Consent Motion for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 16 September 2025.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – August 2025 

On 07 August 2025 the Welsh Government laid a Supplementary LCM (PDF 179KB). 

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 170KB) on 16 September 2025. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 87KB) to the report in September 2025.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – May 2025

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) (PDF 122KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 21 May 2025.

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 18 July 2025 (PDF 39KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 201KB) on 10 July 2025. The Welsh Government responded to the report in August 2025 (PDF 96KB).  

The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee laid its report (PDF 195KB) on 18 July 2025.

Welsh Government response (PDF 145KB).