HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 cc727-8W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many imported pets have developed rabies in quarantine in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [20577]

Mrs. Browning

The only case of rabies in quarantine in the last 10 years was in a dog imported from Zambia in 1990. Taking into account the clinical picture and the laboratory results, a diagnosis of vaccine-induced rabies as made.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many imported pets have died in quarantine in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [20578]

Mrs. Browning

The number of imported pets—dogs and cats—that have died in quarantine in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years is as follows:

  • 1986: 124
  • 1987: 107
  • 1988: 116
  • 1989: 132
  • 1990: 131
  • 1991: 83
  • 1992: 138
  • 1993: 140
  • 1994: 126
  • 1995: 117

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average cost of the period of quarantine required for a domestic pet imported into the United Kingdom. [20579]

Mrs. Browning

Quarantine premises are all privately owned commercial enterprises and therefore free to set their own charges. The charges within specific quarantine premises will also vary according to the size of the animal. We believe that average charges for the six months' quarantine period are around £800 for a cat and £1,200 to £1,500 for a dog.