§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department takes on becoming aware that live animals have been illegally imported into the United Kingdom without being put in quarantine.
§ Mr. StrangWhenever it is suspected that an animal had been landed illegally immediate action is taken by the local authority in concert with Her Majesty's Customs and the police as appropriate: they seize the animal and place it in isolation while investigations are made. The 351W local authority may prosecute the offending owner, and may order the immediate re-export, direction to quarantine or desstruction of the animal. Ministry advice and assistance, including diagnostic services, are readily available to local authorities as required.