§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place a copy of the Bendixon/Dexter report on standards of veterinary services in the EU in the Library; and if he will make a statement on veterinary standards in the qualifying countries as proposed in the Kennedy report on quarantine and rabies. [67408]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 25 January 1999]: The Bendixon/Dexter report was produced for the European Commission between 1990 and 1992. A full report on the veterinary service in each Member State was produced, but sent only to the Member State concerned. A summary report was produced which presented a broad view of the findings and recommendations regarding the structure, resources and activities of veterinary services throughout the Community. Only a Synthesis Report was circulated to the Member States, and I will place photo-copies of this in the Libraries of the House, but it is, by now, out of date.
Veterinary standards in EU and EEA countries have been assessed by the European Commission and found to be of an appropriate standard for the purposes of intra-Community trade in animals and animal products.
My officials are examining which islands meet the definition of rabies freedom set by the Office International des Epizooties.