Animal welfare bill advances unamended to final Lords stage

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has passed through committee stage in the House of Lords without amendment, moving directly to its third reading on 21 November under the procedure known as “order of commitment discharged.”

Introduced by Dr Danny Chambers MP and led in the Lords by Lord Trees, the Bill seeks to tighten controls on pet imports by banning the entry of animals subjected to mutilations prohibited in the UK—such as ear cropping, tail docking, declawing, and debarking—and by raising the minimum import age for puppies and kittens to six months.

During the 21 October committee stage, no changes were proposed, reflecting cross-party support for the Bill’s aims. Lord Trees previously described the legislation as “a significant step forward in preventing this cruel trade,” and animal welfare organisations including Battersea and the RSPCA have welcomed its progress.

If passed at third reading, the Bill will move to final stages before receiving Royal Assent. Supporters are urging swift passage to close longstanding loopholes in pet import regulation.