§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the space allowance for cats kept at Hillgrove Farm. [31644]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe space allowance exceeds the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures (published in 1989) and the European guidelines.
There are no indications of any welfare problems, but a programme of improvements to bring the facilities up to the standards of the "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals in Designated Breeding and Supplying Establishments" (published in 1995) has been agreed.
One significant difference between the two Codes is that shelf space cannot be taken into account in the breeders' code. If shelving is included in the calculation, the accommodation approximates to the space allowances in the breeders' code.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Hillgrove Farm has a Named Veterinary Surgeon. [31643]
§ Mr. George HowarthYes. Section 7(5)(b) requires that Certificates of Designation for breeding establishments specify a veterinary surgeon or other suitable qualified person to provide advice on the animals' health and welfare. In the case of Hillgrove, this person is a veterinary surgeon. He visits the establishment regularly.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inspections have Home Office inspectors made at Hillgrove Farm in Oxfordshire in the last 12 months; and how many of these visits were unannounced. [31642]
§ Mr. George HowarthIn the last 12 months, five visits of inspection were made, of which three were unannounced.
The cats are kept in units designed to ensure they remain specific pathogen free. This places restrictions on entering the units, but the inspector has observed the cats on all occasions and has twice entered the specific pathogen free areas.