§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that rats are known to be a possible source of carrying rabies, what action he has taken or intends taking to protect the British ports from rats leaving boats coming in from overseas.
§ Mr. StrangAlthough rats are susceptible to rabies and consequently are subject to our import and quarantine controls, there has never been any evidence of rats as a significant link in the infection chain. As a general health measure, however, if the master of any vessel from overseas cannot produce a de-ratting certificate or a de-ratting exemption certificate the vessel is inspected and, if rats are found, the ship is de-ratted in accordance with the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1970, as amended. Every endeavour is made to kill any rats seen leaving ships.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent evidence of further danger of rabies coming into Great Britain, he will for a trial period ban the entry into the United Kingdom of all live animals known to be carriers of this disease.
§ Mr. StrangI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms. Colquhoun) on 14th May 1976.—[Vol. 911, c.310.]
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what emergency Regulations, if any, his Department has made, or will make, concerning the carriage of animals on board private vessels docking in British harbours.
§ Mr. StrangThe Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, in addition to prohibiting the landing of rabies-susceptible animals128W other than under licence, requires each animal on board any vessel in any harbour in Great Britain to be at all times securely confined within an enclosed part of the vessel from which it cannot escape, and prohibits its contact with any other animal. Certain suggestions for tightening our controls still further, particularly in relation to private vessels, are now under consideration; they would involve amending the 1974 order.