Quarantine Kennels

Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to publish the list of kennels that have agreed to comply with the code of practice on welfare standards. [5583]

Mr. Rooker
Information on the quarantine premises that comply with the voluntary code of practice for the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises will be included in the literature sent out to prospective importers---------------------------
|Segment                  |
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|Pelagic gears            |
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|Beam trawls              |
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|Demersal trawls and seine|
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|Nephrops                 |
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|Lines and nets           |
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|Shellfish mobile         |
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of pet dogs and cats after all the premises that have undertaken to comply with the code have been inspected by the State Veterinary Service. The majority of these inspections have been carried out.

Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review further the provision of care and welfare standards at quarantine kennels. [5582]

Mr. Rooker
The voluntary code of practice for the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises was published in March 1995. It will be kept under review.

Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to commission a risk assessment and economic audit to determine the costs and benefits of quarantine and alternative systems [5579]

Mr. Rooker
I shall consider whether a risk assessment and economic audit is appropriate as the review of the rabies quarantine regulations progresses.

Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many owners of quarantine kennels have (a) agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards, (b) indicated they will not comply and (c) not yet responded. [5580]

Mr. Rooker
Seventy-three owners of quarantine premises have agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice. Three have indicated that they do not wish to comply with the code at this stage and two have not yet responded to the invitation.

Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many quarantine kennels which have agreed to abide by the code of practice on welfare standards have been inspected by the State Veterinary Service. [5581]

Mr. Rooker
Sixty-three.