§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the annual costs to owners of(a) the present animal quarantine system against rabies and (b) a system based on identification and vaccination. [2808]
§ Mrs. BrowningWe estimate that the annual cost to pet owners of the current animal quarantine system is some £11 million.
There are a number of possible systems based on identification and vaccination. These are being considered as part of the review of rabies controls announced in my reply of 5 November 1996 to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) Official Report, column 488. Any costs associated with these options will be identified during the review.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of rabies prevention and research for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [2809]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe cost of the present policy to the public purse is estimated at £1.3 million per year. About £0.4 million of this is for research. The remainder covers the costs of inspection of quarantine premises, licensing of imports, laboratory testing of suspect animals and publicity.