HC Deb 20 February 1997 vol 290 c660W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many owners of quarantine kennels have agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards in quarantine premises; and how many of those premises have been inspected by the state veterinary service to date. [16690]

Mrs. Browning

Seventy-one owners of quarantine premises have agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice. Of these, 59 have been inspected by the State Veterinary Service to date.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the inspections by the state veterinary service of quarantine premises that agree to abide by the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards to be completed. [16692]

Mrs. Browning

The majority of inspections by the State Veterinary Service to ensure compliance with the voluntary code of practice have been carried out. But the programme will not be completed as early as originally planned due to the urgency of work connected with the outbreaks of Newcastle disease and the BSE accelerated cull programme. It will be completed as soon as possible.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many quarantine premises have(a) indicated that they will not comply and (b) have not yet responded to the Minister's invitation to comply with the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards. [16693]

Mrs. Browning

Four quarantine premises have indicated that they do not wish to comply with the voluntary code of practice at this stage. Two have not yet responded to the invitation.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ports and airports through which cats and dogs may be imported into the United Kingdom have facilities for holding animals prior to them being taken into quarantine. [16694]

Mrs. Browning

Five ports and nine airports.