§ Mr. VazTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on keeping the United Kingdom rabies free; [6879]
(2) if he will review the use of (a) rabies vaccinations and (b) microchipping as alternatives to quarantine. [6880]
§ Mr. RookerThe current arrangements for keeping the United Kingdom rabies free are contained in the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (as amended). This requires certain rabies susceptible mammals to be quarantined for six months on entry to the UK. In the light of our commitment to do so, we are reviewing whether alternatives to quarantine might give equal or better protection against rabies. The review is taking account of the possibilities of vaccination and microchipping of animals.