§ Dr. PalmerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which operators of entry points to the United Kingdom have indicated that they would be prepared to (i) carry and (ii) check animals if the quarantine laws are reformed; [75178]
(2) how many operators of entry points to the United Kingdom currently have the necessary facilities to implement the changes to the quarantine laws recommended by Professor Kennedy; [75177]
(3) with which operators of entry points to the UK he has exchanged correspondence or had meetings to discuss reforms to the quarantine laws. [75179]
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§ Mr. RookerThe Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine, which recommended changes to the quarantine system.
My officials have held preliminary discussions with operators of those ports and airports in England that Professor Kennedy recommended should be eligible points of entry. These discussions have been for the purpose of identifying appropriate procedures, and determining the scale and cost of facilities that might be required for the movement of qualifying animals through entry points. These discussions have not yet been completed. Discussions have also been held with the British Ports Association and the British Airports Association. We have also corresponded with the Major Ports Group and Eurotunnel Developments Ltd.
§ Dr. PalmerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses were received during the consultation period on Professor Kennedy's report on quarantine; and of the responses how many were(a)supportive of reforming the quarantine laws and (b)opposed to changing the law. [75175]
§ Mr. RookerDuring the consultation period, a total of 3,742 responses were received. Some 96 per cent. of respondents expressed overall support for the reforms to quarantine recommended by Professor Kennedy's Group, with 2 per cent. expressing opposition to the changes.
§ Dr. PalmerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses to Professor Kennedy's report on quarantine were received from ports, airports, rail operators and other travel operators; and of those how many were(a) supportive of reforming the quarantine laws and (b) opposed to changing the law. [75176]
§ Mr. RookerThirteen responses were received from ports, airports, rail operators and other travel operators. Seven of these responses supported the proposed changes, with the others limiting their comments to specific aspects of the proposals or making practical comments about their implementation. None expressed outright opposition to changing the law.