§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the spread of rabies to northern France in general and to the Department of the Aisne in particular, what additional precautions are to be taken against the importation of animals into the United Kingdom from France.
§ Mr. StrangI have been asked to reply.
The powers under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) Order 1974 were taken, recognising the spread of rabies on the Continent towards the Channel coast. For the precise measures taken to strengthen our safeguards, I would refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 11th July 1975.—[Vol. 895, c. 304–6.]
Precautions against the illegal importation of animals apply equally to all coun- 122W tries, but special efforts are being made to publicise our regulations and to explain our policy in Western European countries, including France. Our aim is to maintain a constant and high standard of vigilance at all landing places.