Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill

This is the text of the Reform of Quarantine Regulations, as presented to the House of Commons on 25 November 1997.

Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill

ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES

Clause

1. Importation of domestic dogs or cats.

2. Welfare of animals kept in quarantine.

3. Short title and commencement.

A
B I L L
TO
Allow the importation of pet animals from the European Union and rabies-free countries without quarantine upon proof of vaccinations, blood tests and permanent identification by microchip; to improve standards in quarantine kennels; and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Importation of domestic dogs or cats.     1. - (1) The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 ("the Order") is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (1) of Article 2 of the Order (interpretation), at the appropriate place, there is inserted the following definition-

        `"microchip" means an electronic device for the storage and retrieval of information which can be implanted under the skin of an animal;'

    (3) In paragraph (2) of Article 4 of the Order (prohibition on landing of animals in Great Britain), at the beginning, there is inserted the words "Subject to paragraph (2A) below, ".

    (4) After paragraph (2) of Article 4 of the Order there is inserted the following new paragraph-

    "(2A) The proviso in paragraph (2) above shall not apply to a pet animal which-

(a) has been brought from a country in full membership of the European Union or from a country designated by the World Health Organisation as being free from rabies;

(b) has been vaccinated against rabies and has been certified as free from rabies by a laboratory licensed for this purpose by the Minister;

(c) has been implanted with a microchip which carries such information as the Minister may by amendment of this Order require; and

(d) is accompanied by documentary evidence in a form prescribed by the Minister.".

Welfare of animals kept in quarantine.     2. In Schedule 2 to the Animal Health Act 1981 (matters in respect of which importation control orders may be made), after paragraph 4 there shall be inserted-

        " 4A. The premises at which animals and other things are to be kept in quarantine in pursuance of the Order and the welfare of animals kept in such premises.".

Short title and commencement.     3. - (1) This Act may be cited as the Reform of Quarantine Regulations Act 1998.

     (2) This Act shall come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which it is passed.

© Parliamentary copyright 1997
Prepared 11 December 1997