§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the threat of rabies reaching the United Kingdom through infected bats; and what measures can be taken to prevent it.
§ Mr. MacleanThere is no evidence of natural transmission to terrestrial mammals of the rabies-related virus found in some species of insectivorous bat on the continent. Therefore, while it is possible that an infected bat could be blown across the Channel on strong winds, the threat is extremely small. Some 600 bat carcases, submitted by bat groups and other organisations since 1987, have been examined with negative results. Imported bats are subject to six months quarantine or, in the case of vampire bats, life. If necessary powers would be taken to deal with any bat colony which might prove infected.