Rabies (Hansard, 11 July 1975)

§ Sir J. Eden
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the rabies frontier in northern Europe is estimated to he moving north and is now not far from the Channel coast, he will consider the desirability of making known to the public the importance of adherence to all the provisions of the Rabies Act 1974.

§ Mr. Strang
In reply to the hon. Member for Argyll (Mr. MacCormick) on 5th May I outlined the measures we were taking to inform the public of the dangers of rabies and of the importance of observing our quarantine regulations. As a result of recent events, including two tragic deaths, I believe the public are now more aware than they have ever been of the threat we are facing.

§ Sir J. Eden
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the increasing danger of rabies-carrying animals reaching the United Kingdom, he will take steps to ensure that adequate preventive action is taken 305W at all ports and airports including those not designated under the Rabies Act.

§ Mr. Strang
Customs and Excise are our first line of defence against the entry of rabies-carrying animals from abroad. Customs officers are present at all ports and airports including those not designated under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, and they are fully aware of the vital part they have to play in preventing entry of this disease.

§ Sir J. Eden
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent deaths in this country resulting from rabies, he will specify the precise steps which have been taken and which he intends to take in the near future to implement the provisions of the Rabies Act 1974.

§ Mr. Strang
Since the Waterhouse Committee of Inquiry on Rabies was appointed in 1970 to review our policy on rabies a whole series of measures has been taken to strengthen our safeguards against imported animals which are rabies-susceptible. These have included:306W

1. extension of the species to which import controls and quarantine apply;

2. vaccination of all dogs and cats in quarantine;

3. more stringent standards for quarantine premises and for the transportation of animals to quarantine;

4. limitation of points of entry for imported animals;

5. more stringent import licensing arrangements to reduce the chances of unlicensed animals obtaining entry to this country;

6. power to destroy illegally landed animals;

7. substantially increased penalties for animal smuggling;

8. increased publicity about rabies and our quarantine regulations.
The Rabies Act 1974 was one part of this complex of measures. Two orders have been made under it: the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 to consolidate the regulations governing import control; and the Rabies (Control) Order 1974 to provide comprehensive powers to deal with the disease should we be unfortunate enough to have outbreaks.
Our policy is kept under constant review and additional measures will be taken as necessary.