To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for his assessment of the role of the charity sector in identifying and tackling animal cruelty, in particular that which arises from illegal dog breeding; and (ii) to detail the support given by his Department to animal welfare charities.

While animal welfare charities have no statutory enforcement responsibilities in Northern Ireland, they play an important role in providing information to enforcement bodies on suspected animal cruelty offences, including those which arise from illegal dog breeding. The experience and views of animal welfare charities can also be of great value in informing new policy and legislation.

My Department does not provide financial support to the animal welfare charity sector, but does provide other practical assistance, like the provision of guidance, where it can.