Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 November 2001. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 26 November 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 assessment she has made of the risks of spreading foot and mouth disease associated with (a) fox hunting with dogs, (b) riding a horse, (c) walking a dog and (d) rambling; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/disease/risks/index/htm . http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/about/animals/dogs.asp and fact that I have placed a printed copy of this information in the Library (Dep 02/311).

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks of spreading foot and mouth disease associated with (a) fox hunting with dogs, (b) riding a horse, (c) walking a dog and (d) rambling; and if she will make a statement. [14402] Alun Michael: A full list of Veterinary Risk Assessments relating to foot and mouth disease can be found on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/ footandmouth/disease/risks/index/htm. No. 4 deals with opening footpaths to the public; No. 10 deals with Horse Race meetings; No. 12 deals with specified equestrian events; No. 14 deals with official equestrian events and non agricultural land, and No. 26 covers activities relating to hunting with dogs. Information is also available to advise dog owners how they can guard against spreading foot and mouth disease. This can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/ footandmouth/about/animals/dogs.asp. I have placed a printed copy of this information in the Library of the House of Commons.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 375 c691-2W;375 c693W; 14402
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Dogs Disease control Foot and mouth disease Horses Hunting Walking
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk