HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 c721W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of quarantine rules in the cases of blind people who need their guide dogs to accompany them on visits abroad. [72822]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 1 March 1999] The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the review of quarantine rules undertaken by the Advisory Group on Quarantine. We will announce a specific way forward as soon as we can.

Sir George Young

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend the secondary legislation on quarantine to make it compatible with European Community law. [72907]

Mr. Rooker

The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine, which recommended changes to the quarantine system. Implementing such changes would require legislative amendment.

Sir George Young

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contingency plans he has drawn up in case his defence in respect of the Quarantine Abolition Fighting Fund application for judicial review should fail. [73000]

Mr. Rooker

Any action that the Department took following the judicial review would depend on the terms of the judgment, whatever that might be.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will authorise the release from quarantine of clinically healthy dogs and cats which show valid serological evidence of immunity to rabies; and if he will make a statement. [72942]

Mr. Rooker

No. The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the review of quarantine rules undertaken by the Advisory Group on Quarantine. The Advisory Group recommended that changes to the present system should not be introduced until an alternative administrative and operational infrastructure is in place.

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