§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions exist on the movement of camels. [64803]
§ Alun MichaelCamelids are susceptible to foot and mouth disease (FMD), although less so than some other species. Based on veterinary advice, movements of camelids have therefore been subject to conditions set out in a general licence under the interim livestock movement controls. Details were set out in leaflets sent to all livestock farmers in February 2002 and placed in the Library of the House. They are also on the Department's website. They reflect discussions with organisations representing the owners of camelids.
Special arrangements apply to llama trekking, which can currently take place under a separate licence issued by the DEFRA Divisional Veterinary Manager. Again, 587W details were discussed with the relevant organisations in March 2002 and can be found on the Department's website.
Veterinary advice has now been revised reflecting the passage of time since the end of the lambing season with no re-emergence of FMD, and it is our intention to remove all restrictions on camelid movements, including llama trekking, assuming there is no change to the current disease situation. This will require amendments to the legal instrument which sets out the animal movement controls, and the changes are expected to come into force at the end of July. Controls over camelid movements would be reimposed if a further outbreak of FMD occurred.