To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where animals other than cats and dogs are kept in quarantine in the UK; and under what conditions. (188283)

Animals can be kept in quarantine at zoos, research centres, and temporary holding facilities at ports or airports. On rare occasions, additional premises such as film sets have been approved using zoo specifications. All such quarantine facilities are inspected and approved by Animal Health and supervised by a veterinary superintendent.

Conditions are laid down for disease security, but the rabies order contains no provision for welfare rules in quarantine facilities. However, the normal welfare legislation conditions for zoos, research centres, etc. still apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how his Department monitors the Voluntary Code in relation to the welfare of animals in quarantine premises; and if he will make a statement; (188527)

Animal Health monitors compliance with the Voluntary Code, but does not ‘enforce’ it. As the code is voluntary, Animal Health can only insist that transgressing quarantine kennels withdraw from the scheme and remove the compliance statement from their literature.

As Animal Health is not an enforcement or regulating body, no information on breaches of the Voluntary Code is being held.