§ Mr. Weitzmanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, having regard to the danger from rabies and penalties properly imposed, he will take steps to acquaint persons abroad, who may bring animals into the United Kingdom, with the risks involved, in view of recent court cases in which the defendants pleaded ignorance.
§ Mr. StrangI would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the replies given to the 553W hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) and my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Watkinson) on 10th June and 11th June respectively. Efforts to publicise our anti-rabies regulations and penalties are continuous. In addition to the extensive distribution of publicity material in Europe, which is being extended worldwide, the television programme describing our anti-rabies policy and regulations continues to be shown in many countries. London-based foreign correspondents have been briefed; and recent court cases have received wide newspaper coverage overseas. Airline and ferry companies display posters and are alert to our requirement that rabies-susceptible animals cannot be imported into Britain without import licences.—[Vol. 912, c. 770–7.]