§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum number of non-human primates which may be quarantined within a facility; and what is the ratio of trained staff to primates at any given location and time who are capable of dealing with a filovirus outbreak. [26670]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe maximum number of non-human primates which may be quarantined within a facility depends on the size of the facility. Each facility has a superintending veterinary surgeon or doctor who is required to inspect the animals at least once a week and to report any deaths in quarantine to the Ministry. Guidance on how to handle non-human primates safely has been prepared by the Medical Research Council and has been issued to all quarantine facilities authorised to648W keep non-human primates. I have placed a copy of the guidance, which is entitled "The Management of Simians in Relation to Infectious Hazards to Staff", in the Library.