§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many domestic animals coming from the member states of the European Community in 1986 were placed in quarantine under official supervision; and how many were subsequently found to be suffering from(a) rabies, (b) distemper or (c) other infectious diseases;
(2) how many domestic animals coming from the member states of the European Community were intercepted as a result of systematic checks at United Kingdom ports and airports during 1986, their owners having attempted to evade quarantine regulations; and how many of these were subsequently found to have (a) rabies, (b) distemper or (c) other infectious diseases.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 14 December 1987]: I understand that 32 dogs, 18 cats and 17 other mammals coming from member states of the European Community were detected as a result of systematic checks at United Kingdom ports and airports in 1986, their owners having attempted to evade the quarantine requirements. Animals landed illegally may be re-exported, placed in quarantine or destroyed. None of the animals directed to quarantine were found to be infected with rabies.
During the same period 4,738 dogs, 2,329 cats and 39,193 other mammals were landed under licence and placed in authorised quarantine premises. None of these animals were found to have rabies.
Details of the countries of origin of these animals and the reports on the health of each animal held in quarantine are not held centrally. I regret, therefore, that the other information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.