Written questions, answers and statements

Animal and Plant Health Agency: Port of Dover

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Question for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UIN 186538, tabled on 23 May 2023

Question

Dr Neil Hudson
Conservative
Penrith and The Border
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how many occasions have officials working for the Animal and Plant Health Agency at the Port of Dover have (a) stopped and (b) detained vehicles containing animals suspected of contravening regulations on (i) smuggling and (ii) biosecurity in each of the last 12 months for which data is available.

Answer

Mark Spencer
Conservative
Sherwood
Commons

Answered on

5 June 2023

There is no data held on the total number of vehicles stopped and inspected in Dover, Eurotunnel, Harwich or Newhaven by the Dover APHA team.

Over the last 12 months, 218 vehicles have had 607 animals detained following an inspection by APHA at Dover Port, Eurotunnel or Harwich Port.

172 of the animals detained were for biosecurity contraventions – Rabies (Importation of, Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. The remaining 435 were detained for other reasons including non-compliance under the Welfare of Animals (transport) (England) order 2006 and Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011.

55 animals (out of the 607) were detained for true smuggling (concealment).

No vehicles have been detained by APHA. APHA powers do not allow vehicles to be detained / seized.

Answered by

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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