§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission an independent study and full economic audit of all the available options for managing the risk of rabies to Great Britain. [14786]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 14 February 1996]: The Government gave this matter careful consideration following recommendations made by the Agriculture Select Committee in its report in late 1994 for certain changes to the current quarantine arrangements. Ministers also receive regular advice from officials on all aspects of rabies control. I therefore see no need to commission a further study at this time.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive from his Chief Veterinary Officer the new rabies risk assessment; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [14787]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 14 February 1996]: Ministers receive regular advice from officials on all aspects of rabies control including the risk of introduction of the disease. However, advice from officials to Ministers is confidential and is not normally divulged.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that veterinary surgeons have immediate unrestricted access to the inactivated rabies vaccines already approved by his Department for use of in animals in their care. [14788]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 14 February 1996]: No. The British isles is an internationally recognised rabies-free zone and the use of rabies vaccine for any animals other than those going for export or those going into quarantine would be unnecessary and entirely inappropriate.