§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report those animals which are subject to the anti-rabies quarantine regulations.
§ Mr. StrangThis information is listed in Schedule 1 to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats, and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (S.I., 1974, No. 2211).
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has held with the Public Protection Committee of 445W Humberside County Council and the British Transport Docks Board concerning anti-rabies measures in the Humber ports area, including non-BTBD ports, wharves and harbours, and the county generally; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangDuring the past year Ministry officials have attended 16 meetings in the County of Humberside with representatives of all the organisations concerned with rabies, including anti-rabies measures at the ports. The County Consumer Protection Department was represented at most of these meetings and the British Transport Docks Board at those concerning the dock areas, where procedures were examined in relation to the entry or presence of animals. Other interests represented include Her Majesty's Customs, environmental health, the police, the medical and veterinary professions, the Port Health Authority, the Humber Pilot Service and the RSPCA. My right hon. Friend and I are satisfied that there is good liaison and co-operation between the Ministry and the Humberside authorities and organisations concerned with anti-rabies measures.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals his Department has to deal with the urban or dockyards fox problem where there is a possibility that such animals may become rabies contacts.
§ Mr. StrangFoxes, including those in dockyard or urban areas, could become a rabies risk only as a result of an encounter with an infected imported animal. However, should a rabies outbreak occur which involves wildlife, we have contingency plans to destroy foxes in the infected area, using the most effective methods available in accordance with the circumstances and with maximum regard for the safety of other wildlife and domestic animals.
§ Miss Fookesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he is satisfied that there are sufficient quantities of anti-rabies vaccine available in the event of an outbreak of rabies in the United Kingdom;
(2) if an infected area were declared under the provisions to contain an outbreak 446W of rabies, whether he would require all domestic animals to be vaccinated;
(3) who would be authorised to administer anti-rabies vaccine in the event of an outbreak of the disease.
(4) what administrative back-up for a crash vaccination programme in the event of an outbreak of rabies exists under present plans.
(5) what administrative arrangements, including the provision of dog collar tags to indicate that vaccination has been undertaken, are in hand in the event of an outbreak of rabies.
§ Mr. StrangThe Rabies (Control) Order 1974 provides for the compulsory vaccination of animals within a declared infected area. Vaccination, however. would not be the principal weapon of disease control in the event of an outbreak; the use of vaccine can only supplement established measures such as the prevention of animal to animal contact by confinement, leashing and muzzling, and the elimination of strays. Whilst vaccination would clearly be necessary in circumstances where disease was found in wildlife or in the event of multiple cases in domestic animals, there could be many other circumstances where the use of vaccine might not be required.
Our contingency plans, which are kept constantly under review, include such matters as the purchase of vaccines and the administrative arrangements. We keep in close touch with the vaccine distributors about the availability of supplies, thereby ensuring that any likely contingency requirement can be met. Vaccine would be administered by veterinary surgeons under the direction of the Ministry.
We are currently investigating the most effective and economical method of identifying vaccinated animals. Items such as coloured collar tags could be provided by the trade at short notice.
§ Miss Fookesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many muzzles, leads and other necessary restraints could be made available in the event of an outbreak of rabies.
§ Mr. StrangThe manufacturers of muzzles assure us that they have ample 447W stocks and a capacity for immediate production beyond any likely demand. Supplies could be directed at short notice to any part of Great Britain. Leashes and collars are always freely available. Any cord that is sufficiently strong and securely fastened would meet the legal requirement for a leash.
§ Miss Fookesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is asking animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, the National Canine Defence League and the PDSA to offer their services in the event of an outbreak of rabies in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StrangMinistry officials are in touch with several animal welfare organisations, at both central and local level, on anti-rabies measures. Some are giving valuable assistance with publicity in the primary task of keeping rabies out.
The RSPCA has, with Ministry advice, produced a note to its inspectors on action to be taken if a suspected case of rabies comes to their attention. It has also offered to assist in dealing with stray animals.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details as to what extent regular checks are made on vessels landing at British ports for de-ratting certificates; when these checks are made; and what action he proposes to take to increase these inspections in view of the recent growth in the spread of rabies.
§ Dr. OwenI have been asked to reply.
The master of any ship which has been in a foreign port is required by the Public Health (Ships) Regulations (SI 1970/1881), as amended, to produce on arrival at a port in England and Wales a valid international certificate stating that the vessel has been declared free of rodents. If no such certificate is presented, or there is reason to believe that de-ratting has not been carried out satisfactorily, the Regulations require that the ship be inspected and, if necessary, de-ratting procedures ordered. Enforcement of the Regulations is in the hands of port health authorities or district councils.
There are corresponding provisions for Scotland and Northern Ireland.