§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what inspection is made of live animals imported into this country not normally for use as food, other than greyhounds and horses, when they land, especially at airports, to ensure that they are free from dangerous diseases.
§ Mr. PeartMy control over the importation of animals is designed to prevent the importation of animal diseases into this country, and relates to farm livestock including poultry, horses, zoo animals in so far as they may affect farm animals, and canines and felines in so far as rabies is concerned. The extension of control to other mammals that are potential carriers of rabies is under consideration.
The method of control is to prohibit importation from most countries except under licence and subject to veterinary certification and in certain cases to quarantine. Customs officials examine the licence and veterinary certification and detain the animals if they are not satisfied. Inspection at ports is therefore not necessary, and in most cases such inspection could not ascertain freedom from disease.
Some animals may, of course, carry diseases that affect human beings. So far as these diseases do not affect animals as well, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.