To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether there have been discussions between officials of his Department and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on (a) wild animals in travelling circuses and (b) the welfare of racing greyhounds in the last 12 months. (290437)

There have been no discussions between officials in my Department and DEFRA on wild animals travelling in circuses. My Department has no responsibility for welfare of racing greyhounds, this is a matter for DEFRA. However, my officials have discussed the welfare of racing greyhounds with DEFRA officials during the last 12 months. This was in the context of the recent DEFRA consultation on the proposed introduction of regulations to promote the welfare of racing greyhounds, to be made under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.