Written question asked by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 December 2001. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 13 December 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what permit conditions will apply when hunting with dogs resumes in foot and mouth disease-free counties. - Inc fact that I have placed copies of the final version of the permit conditions in Library and this material has also been published on the DEFRA FMD website (Dep 01/1812).

Answer: Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what permit conditions will apply when hunting with dogs resumes in foot and mouth disease-free counties. [23532] Alun Michael: On 15 November I announced the Government's intention of relaxing the ban on hunting with dogs imposed in February 2001 to control foot and mouth disease, to allow hunting in FMD free counties from 17 December under a temporary system of disease control permits. Interested parties were invited to comment on the proposed permit conditions by 7 December. As a result, a small number of changes and clarifications have been made to the permit conditions published on 15 November. I have placed copies of the final version of the permit conditions in the Library of the House. This material has also been published on the DEFRA FMD website. Permits will be available from DEFRA Animal Health Divisional Offices from 17 December onwards to applicants who can demonstrate compliance with the disease control conditions required.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 376 c953W; 23532
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Licensing Dogs Disease control Foot and mouth disease Hunting Foxes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk