§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 528, what progress he has made in respect of a standard of animal care in quarantine kennels; and if he will make a statement. [32809]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 17 June 1996]: I held a meeting on 13 May with representatives of the Quarantine Kennels Owners Association and the Quarantine Kennels Professional Association. A follow-up meeting between the associations and my officials was held on 13 June. We agreed that I would write to authorised quarantine kennels inviting those running them to undertake to abide by the Agriculture Departments of Great Britain's voluntary code of practice on the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises. State veterinary service staff would check compliance with the code during their regular visits. Premises in respect of which an undertaking is given to comply with the code, and where we are satisfied that they are doing so will be identified as such in the Government's literature for potential importers.