§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quarantine procedures were applied to the dog owned by Irene Sanders and rescued by British Airways on 23 November 1995; and how many representations he has received on this matter.[28145]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 7 May 1996]: I have received two letters concerning the news item on the independent television 10pm news on 23 November 1995 which showed a dog apparently avoiding the usual quarantine regulations on arrival at Heathrow. In responding to them I have explained that the filming of the meeting of the dog, its owner and the pilot of the aeroplane it arrived on took place after the dog had completed a full six months' quarantine in this country.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representations received by his Department on the subject of quarantine in the last 12 months, indicating those supportive of the present system and those supporting change along the lines proposed by the Agriculture Committee in the fifth report of Session 1993–94 (HC 347). [28121]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 7 May 1996]: It would not be possible to provide this information in the manner requested without incurring disproportionate costs. However, from 1 January 1995 to 30 April 1996, my Department received 404 letters passed on by hon. Members from their constituents on the subject of quarantine of rabies-susceptible mammals. Of these, 349 supported change along the lines proposed by the Agriculture Committee, 42 supported the present system and 13 were on other quarantine matters.
A further 1,074 letters on the future of quarantine were received over the period, a large majority seeking change to the current system. Eight petitions supporting change were handed in.
Senior officials have twice met representatives from the organisation Passport for Pets.
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§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce an investigation procedure to pursue complaints made by owners of animals held in quarantine about the conditions in which their animals are being held. [28929]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 14 May 1996]: There are already a number of procedures for dealing with complaints from owners of animals kept in quarantine premises. My officials investigate all complaints concerned with breaches of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, which covers security and the prevention of the spread of rabies. Complaints about the conditions in which the animals are kept can be referred to the veterinary superintendent appointed to the quarantine premises. Responsibility for investigating problems relating to the contract between the quarantine premises and owners of animals kept there fall to the local trading standards department of the local authority.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken by his Department to inspect the conditions dogs are kept in at quarantine kennels. [28932]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 14 May 1996]: It is a requirement under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 that all quarantine premises are under the control of a veterinary superintendent, appointed by agriculture Departments. The conditions of appointment are set out in the form ID51. I have placed a copy of this form in the Library of the House. These conditions state that the veterinary superintendent is responsible for the safe custody and strict isolation of each animal throughout its period of quarantine, and for ensuring that the standard requirements set out on form ID50 are complied with. He/she or his/her deputy, similarly appointed by my Department, must visit the premises daily from Monday to Saturday each week, and on Sundays if necessary. He/she must visually inspect all animals on at least two of these visits each week. He/she must also undertake a further individual examination of any animal which concerns him/her following inspection, or where he/she requested to do so by the kennel management or its owner.