Foot and Mouth Disease: Vaccination of Zoo and Wildlife Park Animals

HL Deb 24 April 2001 vol 625 cc43-4WA

Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will allow vaccination of endangered wildlife park animals that are in a captive-breeding programme and are susceptible to foot and mouth disease; and [HL1503]

Whether they will allow vaccination of endangered zoo animals that are in a captive-breeding programme and are susceptible to foot and mouth. [HL1502]

Baroness Hayman

The Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Commission recently authorised member states to vaccinate susceptible animals in zoos or similar premises containing endangered species, but only in very restricted circumstances, and only after bio-security measures—including closure of premises if necessary—have been taken. The Government are currently considering whether to pursue this option.