§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with quarantine kennel owners since he announced his proposals for reform of quarantine law relating to pets. [86278]
§ Mr. RookerDialogue with representatives of the quarantine industry is continuing and we are pleased that they have joined the Pet Travel Scheme Advisory Group established by my Department.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make rabies vaccines for pet dogs and cats freely available to pet owners preparing to travel abroad and return to Britain without quarantine; and if he will make a statement. [85747]
§ Mr. RookerRabies vaccine will be made freely available in due course.
119W
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to submit the drafts of proposed amendments to the secondary legislation on quarantine to the European Commission for inclusion in EU law. [85745]
§ Mr. RookerThe European Commission have been sent a copy of the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine. Decisions on whether to make proposals for EU law are a matter for the Commission.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the draft of proposed amendments to the secondary legislation on quarantine; and if he will make a statement. [85746]
§ Mr. RookerDrafting of a Statutory Instrument providing for the Pet Travel Scheme pilot arrangements is still under way. Copies of the draft will be placed in the Library of the House when work has further advanced.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to approve rabies antibody sera-testing for pet dogs and cats; and if he will make a statement. [85748]
§ Mr. RookerThe Advisory Group on Quarantine recommended that under the new arrangements it proposed for pets, laboratories should be accredited to perform serological tests according to a quality procedure specified and operated by the British authorities. Once the Government have approved a list of laboratories for serological testing under the Pet Travel Scheme (which is expected soon), a list will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to instruct his advisers on quarantine reform to ensure that all new implementation proposals comply with European Community law, with particular reference to Articles 30–36 of the Treaty of Rome. [85744]
§ Mr. RookerIt is always the Government's intention that their proposals should comply with European Community law.