§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules govern the import of live hares for coursing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland; and what assessment he has made of compliance with the rules in 2002. [123749]
§ Mr. PearsonHares are rabies susceptible animals, and as such, are covered by the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order (Northern Ireland) 1977.
627WUnder normal circumstances, there are no import restrictions on hares coming from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland.
However, there are two exceptions.
The first exception is the import of a hare from the Republic of Ireland which has previously been brought to the Republic of Ireland from a country other than GB, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Northern Ireland and has not been detained and isolated in quarantine for a period of at least six months before entering Northern Ireland. The second exception is where my Department has reason to believe that there is an outbreak of rabies in the Republic of Ireland.
In both cases, the importation of a hare is prohibited, except under and in accordance with, the conditions of a licence granted by the Department. The conditions would include the immediate detention and isolation in quarantine for a period of six months.
Neither of the exceptions arose during 2002.