§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he takes to examine journey plans and transport conditions for animals imported into the United Kingdom for use in experimentation before issuing licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [31100]
(2) if he will undertake an urgent assessment of the conditions under which animals destined for use in experimentation are imported into the United Kingdom. [31099]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 provides only for regulating the importation of species listed in Schedule 2 of the Act.
For animals listed under Schedule 2:
- the Home Office must be satisfied that suitable animals cannot be obtained from designated sources;
- the place from which the animals are being imported and the animals' provenance must have been established and must be acceptable to the Home Office;
- the animals must be delivered to someone with responsibilities under the Act; and
- details of any resulting transport related morbidity and mortality must be notified to the Home Office.
Outline travel plans must also be submitted. These must confirm that the arrangements (including travel times, the mode of transport and any special requirements for the type of animals involved) meet domestic and international welfare requirements; and they must identify who is responsible for the welfare of the animals at any point in the journey. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate scrutinises such applications and provides advice on whether and on what terms the animals should be imported.
In all cases, relevant domestic and international transport and welfare regulations must be complied with. These are the responsibility of other Government Departments and of international bodies, such as the International Air Transport Association.
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§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1 January 1993 he has required licences applied for under the Animals (Scientific Producers) Act 1986 to be(a) refused and (b) withheld pending amendment because of concern about the transport conditions for animals imported into the United Kingdom for use in experimentation. [31105]
§ Mr. George HowarthCentral records which indicate why applications were refused or withdrawn are not kept.
It is rare that licences need to be formally refused. Normally, the Inspectorate will indicate to the applicant that the licence cannot be recommended in its current form and the applicant either amends or withdraws it.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 61, where I explained that authority to acquire primates from a particular overseas source had been withdrawn because of problems relating to the transport of animals.