HC Deb 26 June 1997 vol 296 cc633-4W
Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to publish the list of kennels that have agreed to comply with the code of practice on welfare standards. [5583]

Mr. Rooker

Information on the quarantine premises that comply with the voluntary code of practice for the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises will be included in the literature sent out to prospective importers

Segment MAGP III Objective (GRT) Position at end 1996 (GRT) Percentage reduction in GRT to meet Objective MAGP III Objective (kW) Position at end 1996 (kW) Percentage reduction Kw to meet Objective
Over 10 metre vessels
Pelagic gears 24,323 27,800 12.5 82,168 71,876 -14.3
Beam trawls 19,004 22,103 14.0 91,140 117,616 22.5
Demersal trawls and seine 59,470 64,534 7.8 316,399 332,337 4.8
Nephrops 18,725 11,176 -67.5 106,477 69,183 -53.9
Lines and nets 13,134 13,615 3.5 67,364 51,972 -29.6
Shellfish mobile 8,394 8,418 0.3 51,232 54,724 6.4

of pet dogs and cats after all the premises that have undertaken to comply with the code have been inspected by the State Veterinary Service. The majority of these inspections have been carried out.

Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review further the provision of care and welfare standards at quarantine kennels. [5582]

Mr. Rooker

The voluntary code of practice for the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises was published in March 1995. It will be kept under review.

Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to commission a risk assessment and economic audit to determine the costs and benefits of quarantine and alternative systems [5579]

Mr. Rooker

I shall consider whether a risk assessment and economic audit is appropriate as the review of the rabies quarantine regulations progresses.

Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many owners of quarantine kennels have(a) agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards, (b) indicated they will not comply and (c) not yet responded. [5580]

Mr. Rooker

Seventy-three owners of quarantine premises have agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice. Three have indicated that they do not wish to comply with the code at this stage and two have not yet responded to the invitation.

Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many quarantine kennels which have agreed to abide by the code of practice on welfare standards have been inspected by the State Veterinary Service. [5581]

Mr. Rooker

Sixty-three.