From: Ministry of Agriculture and Food

23 September 1998

To: Interested Organisation/Individuals

Dear Sir/Madam

CONSULTATION ON THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON QUARANTINE

1. The report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine has been published today. This letter explains the background to the report, and seeks views on the Group’s recommendations. A summary of the recommendations and a copy of the Press notice announcing the report are attached. The deadline for comments is

Background

2. In October 1997, the Government set up the Advisory Group on Quarantine, chaired by Professor Ian Kennedy, Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Policy at the School of Public Policy, University College, London. The purpose of this group was to provide an independent assessment of the risk of introduction of rabies into the UK, under the current policy of quarantine for pet animals, and possible alternatives. In particular, the Group was asked to carry out a scientific risk assessment of the current policy, and alternatives. The group included eminent scientists and veterinarians from the UK and abroad.

3. The Advisory Group’s report has now been published. For the first time, a full scientific analysis of the risks arising from the existing policy of quarantine, and of various alternatives to it is available. This is a major step forward. The Government is extremely grateful for the Group’s work here.

The Advisory Group’s Recommendations

4. A summary of the Group’s recommendations is attached. The main recommendations would mean that quarantine would be replaced for cats and dogs leaving the UK and returning after visits to other European Union and European Economic area countries, and rabies free islands in the rest of the world; or entering the UK from such countries. The system replacing quarantine would be based on microchipping of cats and dogs, vaccination against rabies, and blood testing to check that the vaccine has proved effective, together with an official health certificate indicating that the animal has been treated against certain parasites prior to entry. Pet cats and dogs from other countries would still be subject to a six-month period in quarantine. The Advisory Group believes that this system would give equivalent protection against importing rabies to the current system of quarantine. The Group also advises that a sufficiently long period should be allowed for the introduction of the new system, so that it can be implemented effectively.

5. The Government is sympathetic to change along the lines recommended by the Advisory Group, provided the practical means of achieving this can be found. But it also appreciates that controls against rabies are a matter of concern to many people and organisations, particularly the veterinary and medical professions, pet owners, groups concerned with animal welfare, the quarantine kennel industry, and those in charge of ports and airports. The Government wants to hear your views before reaching decisions on change.

6. The Government believes that it is right that the cost of any new system, which replaces quarantine, should be borne by pet owners, as is the case with quarantine at the moment. The Advisory Group estimates that the likely costs of its proposals for pet owners are much lower than those of the quarantine system.

7. In responding to this letter, you might want to address the following questions in particular:

(a) does the proposed new system offer adequate safeguards against the importation of rabies into the UK?

(b) how would pet owners be affected by the proposed system?

(c) what should happen to those animals arriving at a British port whose microchip cannot be read, or whose paperwork is not in order?

(d) what views do you have on the proposed timescale for implementation

of up to 3 years?

(e) what views do you have on the proposals for animals other than cats and dogs, where non carnivores from European countries and rabies free islands would no longer be subject to quarantine, carnivores would be subject to 6 months quarantine, and bats would be subject to quarantine for life?

(f) whether animals admitted to the UK under the new arrangements should be treated against certain tapeworm and tick infestations not currently found in the UK (and notably Echinococcus multiocularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus)?

8. Your comments should be sent to:

Miss S Davenport, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF

Tel: 0181 330 8177 e-mail: mailto:s.davenport@ahvg.maff.gov.uk

By 31 December 1998

Yours Faithfully

(original signed)

Head, Animal Health (Disease Control) Division