§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what would be the estimated cost of reimbursing owners of horses and cattle testing sero-positive to equine viral arteritis and foot and mouth disease;
(2) whether she will be authorising compensation to be paid to the injured parties for all direct and consequential losses arising from her Department's import checking procedures in connection with each incident of equine viral arteritis;
(3) whether she will authorise compensation to be paid for direct and consequential losses arising from the importation of cattle testing sero-positive to foot and mouth disease.
§ Mrs. ShephardThe Ministry has no legal obligation nor statutory authority to pay any form of compensation in these circumstances, which is a commercial matter between the owners, importers and exporters.