asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now bring in quarantine regulations against rabies for cattle and sheep, and especially for those coming from North-West Europe.

No. Cattle and sheep, although possible victims, are not carriers of this disease.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that imports of substantial numbers of cattle from Northern Europe are expected and that published figures show that the incidence of rabies in recent years in these areas has been nearly four times as great among cattle as among dogs and cats? Will he at least warn the importers of those dangers?

These animals can be victims but they are not carriers, and there is no greater case for the imposition of a rabies quarantine on domestic livestock than there is for requiring the isolation of human beings coming from places where rabies is prevalent. Sometimes I would like to take powers to isolate certain people.