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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 16 January 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 January 2018. It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 29 January 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Rabbits: Disease Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to stop the spread of UH disease in rabbits in the UK.

Answer

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) was previously also known as Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Diseases of Wildlife Scheme (DoWS) funded by Defra, provides wildlife disease surveillance for wild mammal and wild bird diseases in England and Wales and undertakes small scale monitoring for RHD2 (the latest variant of the disease) in wild rabbits at Veterinary Investigation Centres in conjunction with its partners and collaborators. APHA DoWS detected the first reported case of RHD2 in Britain, in wild rabbits found dead in Cumbria.

We advise that all pet rabbits are vaccinated against RHD every year as well as being vaccinated against myxomatosis and keeping boosters up to date. The best people to advise the public on the health and welfare of pet rabbits are local vets.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
122853
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Disease control Rabbits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk