Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 16 October 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Friday, 16 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Quarantine

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will relax the quarantine rules in respect of rescue dogs returning to the UK from service overseas; and what representations he has received in respect of the quarantine of rescue dog Darcy of the urban search and rescue section of the Essex fire and rescue service.

Answer: The Government recognises the excellent work carried out by search and rescue dogs in responding to overseas disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Indonesia, and their rapid and valuable response to such emergencies.We also appreciate the difficulty the current quarantine requirements cause for owners of these rescue dogs, particularly the rule requiring that dogs coming into the UK from certain countries, including Indonesia, are placed in quarantine on their arrival. This long standing rule is in place to protect the UK from the incursion of serious diseases such as rabies.DEFRA has not received any formal representation in respect of the rescue dog Darcy. However, we are happy to consider ways to support rescue dogs, consistent with the law and the overriding need to protect the UK population from disease.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 497 c1157W; 293847
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Dogs: Quarantine
Monday, 2 November 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Dogs Quarantine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk