§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will amend their immigration policy so as to enable blind people when entering this country to bring their guide dogs, provided that the dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies. [HL2275]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)All pet dogs including guide dogs must undergo six months in quarantine.
The Advisory Group on Quarantine (AGQ) under the Chairmanship of Professor Ian Kennedy, Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Policy at University College, London, was set up in October 1997 to assess the risk of the introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom under the current policy of quarantine for pet animals and under alternative polices. The group is expected to report this summer or early autumn. A full public consultation on the options available will then be held.