§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from organisations representing rabbit breeders on myxomatosis vaccine.
§ Mr. SoamesA number of representations have been received from organisations representing rabbit breeders, and from individuals owning rabbits, expressing concern that no myxomatosis vaccine is currently available in the United Kingdom. I share this concern and can confirm that applications to licence such vaccines, including one received recently, will be assessed as rapidly as possible.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether suitable vaccines can be imported for myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits; and what steps his Department has taken to assist in making such vaccines available to vets.
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§ Mr. SoamesNo veterinary vaccine may be imported into or marketed in the United Kingdom without a product licence. The veterinary medicines directorate will assess any applications for such licences for myxomatosis or viral haemorrhagic disease vaccines as rapidly as possible.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will establish a fund to compensate owners for loss or damage to domestic and show rabbits as a consequence of myxomatosis.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is not Government policy to offer compensation in such circumstances.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Faversham (Sir R. Moate) of 8 June 1992,Official Report, column 15, if he will make a statement on the current position on myxomatosis vaccine.
§ Mr. SoamesNo myxomatosis vaccine is currently licensed in the United Kingdom. However, the veterinary medicines directorate has recently received from Intervet (UK) Ltd. an application to licence such a vaccine. The data supporting the applications are being assessed as rapidly as possible against the standard Medicines Act criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.