Written question asked by James Duddridge (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 October 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 2 November 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 pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2009, Official Report, column 1157W, on dogs: quarantine, how he defined formal representation in that answer; whether he has received any representations on the search and rescue dog Darcy since the date of that answer; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that search and rescue dogs do not have to enter quarantine on return from missions abroad.

Answer: At the time the parliamentary answer of 16 October 2009, Official Report, column 1157W, was drafted, the Secretary of State had not received any formal (i.e. written) representations on the search and rescue dog Darcy. The hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) has raised the case with the Secretary of State, and we have subsequently received a number of parliamentary questions and letters, including one specific request from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.DEFRA has discussed the case of Darcy the search and rescue dog with representatives from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Although the rabies quarantine legislation does not provide for an absolute exemption from quarantine to be granted in these circumstances, the Government are hopeful that we will be able to find a training regime which proves an acceptable compromise between the needs of these dogs, and the requirement that we protect the UK from devastating diseases like rabies.The Government will pursue this approach and has no plans to amend the law, although discussions with the European Commission and other EU member states are continuing about the overall future of the UK's pet movement rules.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 498 c675W; 296944
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Dogs: Quarantine
Friday, 16 October 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Dogs Quarantine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk