Rabies (Hansard, 30 June 1981)

§ Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if, in view of the fact that rabies on the European continent shows no signs of abating, with a consequent danger of an increase in importing domestic animals during the holiday season, he will issue special instructions to officials, port employees and the local marine organisations to ensure that the public are warned of the dangers of the disease;

(2) if he will list in the Official Report the number of animals affected with rabies which have been intercepted at United Kingdom ports and airports in the years 1979 and 1980; and if he will indicate the country of origin of these animals;

(3) what resources are available for producing information and advice to domestic animal owners in the event of an outbreak of rabies in the United Kingdom;

(4) what steps are being taken by his Department to check the entry of animals into the United Kingdom which may be suffering from rabies; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Wiggin

To minimise the risk of importing rabies into this country the Government apply stringent import controls, supplemented by a continuous rabies awareness campaign. We have recently re-emphasised the need for all officials, port employees, marine organisations and the general public to maintain their customary vigilance through the holiday season.

We are satisfied that, if a rabies outbreak were to occur anywhere in this country, we have the means to deal quickly and effectively with it. Detailed information and advice have already been prepared for domestic animal owners for immediate release in the event of an outbreak.

The Government's policy on import controls and on dealing with an outbreak are set out in more detail in the publication "Rabies—Prevention and Control" which has been placed in the Library of the House and which is distributed widely around the country.

There have been no cases of animals infected with rabies in the United Kingdom since the present import controls were introduced in 1974, nor have any infected animals been intercepted at ports and airports.