HC Deb 15 November 2001 vol 374 cc889-90W
14. Mr. Barker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the veterinary risk assessment report commissioned by her into the resumption of foxhunting.[13078]

Mr. Morley

The Veterinary Risk Assessment has been placed in the Library of the House and published on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.

The Government issued a document this morning on proposals to replace the current blanket ban on hunting in England and Wales. The proposed new arrangements permit certain forms of hunting with dogs to recommence under a permit issued by a Divisional Veterinary Manager, in foot and mouth disease free counties. All forms of hunting will remain prohibited in foot and mouth disease infected areas as does the hunting of deer in the whole of England and Wales.

Lembit Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to lift the suspension on fox hunting with dogs; and if she will make a statement. [14403]

Alun Michael

The Veterinary Risk Assessment has been placed in the Library of the House and published on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.

The Government issued a document this morning on proposals to replace the current blanket ban on hunting in England and Wales. The proposed new arrangements permit certain forms of hunting with dogs to recommence under a permit issued by a Divisional Veterinary Manager, in foot and mouth disease free counties. All forms of hunting will remain prohibited in foot and mouth disease infected areas as does the hunting of deer in the whole of England and Wales.