asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what precautions are being taken to ensure that Ireland remains rabies free in view of the recent outbreak in England.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Precaution against Rabies.
21.
Consequent on the confirmation of rabies in a dog at Camberley, Surrey, on the 18th October, 1969, the stringent veterinary controls, including quarantine for at least six months, which have been operated by my Department at all times on the importation of canine and feline animals from abroad were extended, so as to apply to imports from Britain.
As a further precaution against the introduction of the disease I now propose to extend the minimum period of quarantine imported canine and feline animals are required to undergo from six months to eight months and to ban the importation, except for exhibition or research, of certain exotic animals such as monkeys, skunks and bats.