§ 6. Mr. CanavanWhat plans he has to amend the law and regulations regarding quarantine. [28750]
Dr. John CunninghamThe advisory group on quarantine is expected to report by late spring, after which I plan to hold a full public consultation on its report.
§ Mr. CanavanAlthough I agree that the first priority should be to prevent the importation of rabies, will my right hon. Friend confirm that Professor Kennedy's group is giving serious consideration to the option of vaccination, with appropriate documentation and the insertion of a microchip for identification, so that animals with a pet's passport can be brought into this country without the need to spend months in quarantine?
§ Mr. SoamesDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that, provided that he and his Department are satisfied with 1171 the science referred to by the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan), and provided that the arrangements are satisfactory in this country for monitoring incoming animals, there is no reason whatever that we should not be able to abandon the quarantine arrangements?
Dr. CunninghamThe hon. Gentleman is persuasive, but I shall not pre-empt the outcome of the scientific risk analysis. I can assure him that I believe that the time is right to re-examine the quarantine laws. That is why I have taken this initiative. There will be a full opportunity to consider all the aspects of the report when it is available.