To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) on 16 June, Official Report, columns 455–56, if he will publish the veterinary advice on the effectiveness of vaccination and blood tests for rabies prevention for cats and dogs being imported for breeding purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Effective vaccination confirmed by a blood test offers protection equivalent to quarantine against the introduction of rabies, so long as this is within the framework of strict control arrangements. My answer to the hon. Member for Richmond made clear that the veterinary advice is that these conditions are met in the agreement for commercially traded cats and dogs reached by the Council of Ministers on 15 June.