§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued on a consistent approach by officials across the country to the implementation of the 21-day standstill rule in respect of attendance of animals at agricultural shows in the summer of 2003. [46784]
§ Mr. MorleyShow animals are exempted from the 20-day standstill rule if they meet certain conditions. The key requirements are that the animals must be individually identified and have been kept in and returned to DEFRA approved isolation facilities on their farm of origin. The Department has issued operational instructions to our veterinary staff regarding these arrangements. The conditions for approving on farm isolation units are available on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/movements/cattle/guidance/ei31.pdf.