Vol. 455 No. 8
349 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the annual cost to pet owners of our quarantine laws; and the number and type of pets held in quarantine in each of the last ten years. [12974/95]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the costs of quarantine in relation to pet dogs and cats imported from countries other than the UK in accordance with the Rabbies Orders 1972-1976. Under these Orders a period of six months quarantine in a premises approved by my Department is required in the case of such imports. The cost reflects the strict requirements of this legislation which is designed to eliminate the risk of rabies being brought into the State in animals which may be incubating the disease. Details of the number of pet dogs and cats held in quarantine are as follows:
|
Year |
Dogs |
Cats |
|
1986 |
87 |
42 |
|
1987 |
51 |
18 |
|
1988 |
49 |
22 |
|
1989 |
82 |
32 |
|
1990 |
91 |
45 |
|
1991 |
88 |
36 |
|
1992 |
104 |
34 |
|
1993 |
89 |
45 |
|
1994 |
105 |
56 |
|
1995 (to date) |
64 |
30 |
