To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department’s policy is on the British Greyhound Racing Board guidance on transport cage sizes for greyhounds; and if he will make a statement. (114909)

The British Greyhound Racing Board guidance, on which Defra was consulted, provides a level of detail above that contained in the European Union Welfare in transport Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005. It is therefore welcomed as a practical guide to the provision of good welfare. However, it is not a substitute for the rules set in the regulation, but a supplementary tool to aid compliance. Ultimately, the welfare in transport regulation must take precedence. This requires that the cage must be of an appropriate size to match the size of the dog.