§ 56. Mr. David Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has initiated either in the Council of Ministers of the EEC or at official level about the growing menace of rabies in Europe and the extension of appropriate measures to eliminate this disease.
§ Mr. StrangWe maintain contact with other EEC countries, but there are good reasons why measures should differ between those member States that are rabies free and those where the disease is endemic.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to see that the various bodies involved in the prevention of rabies are effectively co-ordinated.
§ Mr. StrangI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Pym) on 6th May.—[Vol. 910, c.448–9.]
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the danger of rabies being introduced into Great Britain, what advice he is giving local authorities to strengthen defences against the illegal entry of animals and to isolate any outbreak of rabies should one occur.
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§ Mr. StrangLocal authorities receive detailed guidance from my Department on both import control arrangements and on contingency plans for stamping out any outbreak of rabies that might occur. My Department maintains close contact with the local authorities, who are fully aware of their responsibilities and the need to maintain and strengthen our defences.