§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of a ban on hunting on the risk of an outbreak of rabies in this country; and what arrangements he has made to review quarantine regulations governing the importation of animals. [93484]
368W
§ Mr. RookerA ban on hunting would have no impact on the risk of an outbreak of rabies occurring in this country.
On 26 March 1999, Official Report, columns 649-60, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced that he is going to change the law to allow dogs, cats and some other species coming from European Union and certain other qualifying countries to enter the UK without quarantine, provided that they meet certain conditions. The new arrangements will be brought into operation by April 2001, with a pilot scheme as soon as possible, and in any event by April 2000.