Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 November 2005. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 5 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Quarantine

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) criminal convictions and (b) a history of breaching quarantine procedures are taken into consideration before a licence to quarantine birds is granted to an individual; and whether a (i) criminal conviction for fraud and (ii) a history of breaching quarantine procedures precludes the attainment of a licence to quarantine birds.

Answer: Checks are not carried out on individuals submitting applications for approval of quarantine premises.The conditions for approving quarantine premises are laid down in Commission Decision 2000/666/EC. In addition to the prescribed standards which the premises themselves must meet, such as location and structure, to obtain approval for the centre or facility, the applicant has to demonstrate that the centre or facility meets the management requirements imposed by the Commission Decision, as well as welfare standards. Recommendations for approval or non-approval following a veterinary visit can take into account other known, relevant information.Approvals are effective for one year and are dependent on all the laid-down conditions being met. Approvals may be withdrawn at any time should the approval requirements of the Commission Decision not be met.

Secondary information