To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animal welfare charities based in the UK have received funds from the public purse in each of the last five years; and how much was awarded to each. (258287)

It is not general Government policy to provide funding to animal welfare charities. However, DEFRA had a signed agreement to provide funding of £75,000 to the Companion Animal Welfare Council via the Welfare Fund for Companion Animals. The agreement was for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2008. The money was allocated in three annual payments of £25,000 each in the three consecutive financial years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. This covers England only, and not the devolved Administrations.