HC Deb 09 March 1995 vol 256 cc331-2W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what security restrictions are applied to quarantine arrangements for imported non-human primates.

Mrs. Browning

The statutory requirements which apply to authorised quarantine premises are set out in the licences granted under article 9 of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. They include details on the construction and dimension of the perimeter surrounds and the requirements for the construction of the units. These conditions are designed to ensure that full rabies security is maintained while imported animals—including non-human primates—covered by the order are in quarantine. All quarantine premises are inspected regularly by MAFF veterinary officers and at least once a week by MAFF appointed veterinary/medical supervisors to ensure that satisfactory standards are maintained.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if imported primates are always quarantined in areas without non-quarantined animals.

Mrs. Browning

Specific authority must be granted by this Ministry before imported primates can be quarantined in a unit with non-quarantined animals, for example at a zoo. Quarantine restrictions then apply to all the animals in the unit.