Written question asked by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2008. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 9 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals: Imports

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the UK has placed a moritorium on the importation of non-domestic animals from non-EU countries, with particular reference to South African white rhinoceroses, in advance of EU-wide agreement on the harmonisation of rules on such imports; which other EU member states have put such a moritorium in place; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: No moratorium was placed on imports of non-domestic animals from non-EU countries. I am not aware of any other member state having placed a moratorium on imports at this time. Harmonised rules on imports of such animals are currently being developed. A new EU directive 2008/73 came into force on 3 September 2008 which amends the EU legislation for imports of non-domestic animals and gives member states the powers to prepare national rules in event of no harmonised rules. Following an inquiry regarding the import of white rhinoceroses, a veterinary risk assessment was carried out, and a licence containing health conditions which the animals must meet to be eligible for import was prepared and sent to the South African veterinary authorities for agreement. We are awaiting a response.

Secondary information