Q&A Written Replies

ANIMAL QUARANTINE: The Government last night rejected calls for an early move to lift quarantine rules on pet dogs and cats being brought into Britain from EU countries. William Waldegrave, Minister of Agriculture, told the Agriculture Select Comm ittee,which had suggested lifting curbs in view of the availability of vaccination, that any changes to the regulations would be premature. He added that the eradication programme for rabies in the EU had not yet been completed.

BUSINESS TODAY -Commons: Agriculture and Fisheries questions; questions to the Prime Minister; debate initiated by Labour on mortgage interest relief for people on income support; debate on future of rural England. Lords: Environment Bill, Committee, South Africa Bill, Second Reading.