§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) for what purpose information is collected on each dog imported into the United Kingdom;
(2) how many American bandogs are presently in quarantine following importation;
(3) if he will make a statement on the powers available to his Department to control the importation of dogs;
(4) if records on the importation of dogs kept by the animal health division of his Department are kept manually in written form, or on computers;
(5) what advice has been issued to members of his Department concerning American bandogs; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what information he has on the origins, purpose, characteristics and temperament of the American bandog; and if he will make a statement;
(7) what is the number of Neopolitan mastiff bitches currently in quarantine in the United Kingdom; and what information he has as to the purposes of their import;
(8) what records his Department keeps on the importation of dogs; and whether these include information as to the breed, sex, age, weight, name, colour, distinguishing marks, exporter and importer of each dog;
(9) what returns of information on the importation of dogs are submitted by the animal health division of his Department to the central statistical unit of his Department.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 as amended restricts the importation of dogs to licensed animals landed at prescribed ports and airports and requires them to be quarantined for six months. These powers are designed to prevent the introduction of rabies into this country and not to limit the number and breeds of dogs imported. Applicants for import licences must provide information, necessary for identification should it escape during quarantine, concerning the dog's breed, sex, age, weight, name, colour and distinguishing marks, together with details of the owner, authorised carrying agent, quarantine premises and expected date of landing. No information is required as to the purpose of the importation.
All information is retained on a confidential basis by the animal health division in the form of manual records. Summary data by breed are not kept and it is not possible 500W to say how many Neopolitan mastiff bitches or American bandogs are presently in quarantine, as these may not have been described as such in the licence application. I understand that an American bandog is a cross between a pit bull terrier and a Neopolitan bull mastiff bull. No advice has been issued concerning this breed.