§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Statement by the Baroness Hayman on 9 April (H.L. Deb., col. 1013), how 246WA many animals, species by species, are awaiting slaughter under the livestock animal welfare disposal scheme. [HL1789]
§ Baroness HaymanAs at close on 9/5/01 the cumulative totals of animals by species which have been registered, slaughtered, withdrawn, not presented or which remain outstanding under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme are as follows:
Species Animals registered Animals slaughtered Registered animals withdrawn Animals not presented Registered animals outstanding etc Sheep 1,073,992 525,800 64,078 124,543 359,571 Pigs 388,221 190,902 35,782 64,271 97,266 Cattle 138,925 52,843 7,137 8,456 70,489 Deer/Goats/Llamas 4,549 728 1 105 3,715 Total 1,605,687 770,273 106,998 197,375 531,041 A daily report of progress under this scheme is available in the Library of the House.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether animals on foot and mouth contiguous farms are automatically blood tested; and how many of these contiguous farms were found to be developing the disease. [HL1979]
§ Baroness HaymanAs the Government's slaughter policy on contiguous premises does not depend on the identification of infection on these premises, susceptible animals on such farms are not automatically tested for foot and mouth disease.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they reconcile the statement by Baroness Hayman on 3 May (H.L. Deb., col. 1957) that "there is no longer any backlog of animals awaiting disposal anywhere in Great Britain" with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food daily situation report on the 4 May which stated that as of 19.00 on the 3 May there were some 38,000 animals awaiting disposal. [HL2126]
§ Baroness HaymanReports from the Regional Operations Centres at 19.00 on 3 May indicated that some 13,110 carcasses were awaiting disposal. However, due to the time lag between disposal and the information being reported and entered onto the Ministry database, the number of carcasses centrally recorded as awaiting disposal at 19.00 on 3 May was 38,000.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by Baroness Hayman on 3 May (H.L. Deb., col. 1957) that "there are small numbers of animals awaiting slaughter", whether they consider the figure of 112,000 animals awaiting slaughter, given in the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food daily situation report of 4 May represents a "small number". [HL2127]
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§ Baroness HaymanReports from the Regional Operations Centres in Great Britain at 19.00 on 3 May indicated that some 10,250 animals were awaiting slaughter. However, due to the time lag between slaughter and the information being reported and entered onto the Ministry database, the number of animals centrally recorded as awaiting slaughter at 19.00 on 3 May was 112,000.
§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they gauge the relative susceptibility of different animal species to type O foot and mouth disease. [HL1633]
§ Baroness HaymanWe refer the noble Lord to the reply given to him on 3 May, (H.L. Deb., col.WA 317).
§ Lord Glentoranasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the various types of compensation to farmers for foot and mouth disease in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be the same as in England. [HL1638]
§ Baroness HaymanCompensation for all animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak is paid at the full market value of the animal immediately before slaughter; this is the case in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Standard tariffs of compensation were introduced in GB to speed up the payments of compensation.
The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme (LWDS) is available to farmers whose animals face welfare difficulties as a result of movement restrictions. Animals taken under this scheme do not qualify for compensation. Instead a standard rate of payment is made to farmers to help resolve an identified welfare problem. These payments, which vary by species and type of animal, are not a reflection of the commercial or market value of the animal. The scheme is operated by the Intervention Board on behalf of the Ministry, throughout GB. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland ran a limited pig welfare disposal scheme, under which payments were the same as those for pigs slaughtered under the LWDS. LWDS payments have been set at revised levels for animals collected as of 30 April.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, early in March, scientists at Pirbright refused the offer of the United States Department of Agriculture to supply field-testing kits based on the amplification of foot and mouth virus RNA by a real-time polymerase chain reaction; and whether they will reconsider their decision. [HL1682]
§ Baroness HaymanAt no time did Pirbright scientists refuse the offer of field-testing kits. The original request was in fact made for Pirbright to provide the opportunity for field trials of unvalidated technology. Because of the huge pressure of diagnostic work at that time, Pirbright scientists were unable to carry out the comparative testing with the USA248WA equipment which would have been required to validate the test, necessary before using on UK farms. An offer was made for one scientist from the USA to bring the equipment to Pirbright to carry out some comparative testing, but this was not taken up.
The Countess off Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the position of farmers who against current Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food advice turn their cattle out to grass because they have exhausted their supplies of fodder and bedding and are unable to purchase further supplies, if those cattle succumb to foot and mouth disease. [HL1683]
§ Baroness HaymanThis issue raises a number of complex legal issues and any instances of these sort will be considered on a case by case basis.
§ Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the average time in Cumbria between notification and veterinary confirmation, veterinary confirmation and slaughter, and slaughter and disposal in each of the weeks of the current foot and mouth crisis. [HL1699]
§ Baroness HaymanInformation on average times during the early stages of the crisis is still being compiled and validated. This is particularly true of the times from report to confirmation. The key information for fighting the disease is the time from report to slaughter. The table below details the requested statistics (in hours).
Week commencing Report to confirmation Confirmation to slaughter Report to slaughter Slaughter to disposal 4 March 2001 44 48 92 67 11 March 2001 43 45 88 71 18 March 2001 21 32 53 85 25 March 2001 25 41 66 92 1 April 2001 19 29 48 89 8 April 2001 7 20 27 59 15 April 2001 4 19 24 25 22 April 2001 10 17 26 45 29 April2001 7 14 21 16 Source: MAFF Disease Control System database—figures are subject to revision as more data become available.
§ Lord Boston of Favershamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will set out the details of A, B, C and D notices served in connection with the foot and mouth disease outbreak, specifying the restrictions which apply to each of these notices and the implications for owners of land to which these notices apply. [HL1735]
§ Baroness HaymanThe details of Form A, B, C and D notices are summarised below. Full details are set out in the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 (SI 1983/1950) and on the MAFF website. The restrictions which apply in each are subject to amendment from time to time (for example when additional requirements are specified in orders declaring an infected area or when additional requirements are associated with movement schemes).
249WAAny premises where an affected or suspected animal is found, or where it is suspected that foot and mouth exists, will be served with a Form A Notice, declaring it to be an infected place.
The Form B notification withdraws the restrictions imposed by the Form A procedures.
Where a veterinary inspector suspects that an animal or carcass is affected with foot and mouth he will sign a Form C certificate.
Where an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an animal has been exposed to infection, he will serve a Form D Notice on the occupier of the premises on which the animal is located or on the owner or person in charge of that animal.
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
In which areas the 24-hour slaughter deadline is currently being met; and in which areas the further 24-hour carcass disposal policy is being met. [HL1765]
§ Baroness HaymanIn many cases all animals on infected premises are slaughtered within 24 hours of the first report of the disease. Cases not completed within 24 hours are being completed shortly afterwards.
Cases reported by owner on % achievement against target 30 April 67 29 April 80 28 April 50 27 April 82 26 April 100 25 April 38 24 April 63 Figures for slaughter and disposal are available and updated daily on the MAFF website. http://www.maff.gov.uk/.
Although at present there is no explicit 24-hour carcass disposal policy, carcasses are disposed of as rapidly as possible, subject to the availability of disposal methods. Indeed disposal has become continually more rapid throughout the outbreak.
§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the serology results in the foot and mouth outbreaks in Welshpool Market. [HL1826]
§ Baroness HaymanTo provide a summary of the serology results for animals that passed through Welshpool Market, we would need to check individual tracing records held at a number of different Animal Health Offices. This could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.
§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What fresh advice, if any, was given by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials or veterinarians to the Royal Parks Agency about the risk of foot and mouth disease to deer in London's Royal Parks in the fortnight before the parks were re-opened on the 11 April. [HL1922]
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§ Baroness HaymanMost dealings with Royal Parks are a matter for my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr Chris Smith). However on 9 April 2001 the Ministry published on its website (http://www.maff.gov.uk/) Veterinary Risk Assessment No. 9 entitled What is the risk of causing new outbreaks of FMD if deer parks are open to the public.
§ Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the basis of valuation used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when, as part of subsequent disinfection of a farm infected with foot and mouth disease, they order buildings or fixtures to be removed or modified; and what is its legal basis; and [HL1997]
What form of appeal there is when the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food orders the removal or modification of a building as part of the disinfection of a farm infected with foot and mouth; and what are the procedures and legal basis for such an appeal. [HL1998]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Ministry bears the costs of the cleansing and disinfecting process. Where repairs are required before satisfactory cleansing and disinfection can be achieved, the costs of these repairs are borne by the farmer.
The Ministry cannot compel farmers to comply with the requirement to carry out repairs. But if they do not, their premises (or part of their premises) would have to be left under Form A restrictions until the residual virus had died. This could take up to a year or even longer.
Any farmer who does not wish to carry out repairs to his premises should contact the local divisional veterinary manager.
§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the latest case of foot and mouth disease at Great Wigborough in Essex, which involved the slaughter of animals, was not included in the list of cases for the period from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 April, reported by constituency under the new daily reporting system announced in Parliament by the Minister of Agriculture on 26 April; and whether they will give full details of this case. [HL2020]
§ Baroness HaymanThe case mentioned does not appear on the list of confirmed cases published in the MAFF foot and mouth website. Our policy, based on legal advice, is to release details of infected premises as this information is necessary for the control of foot and mouth. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we only release information on other premises affected by the outbreak to organisations that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individual concerned has given written consent.
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§ Baroness Mallalieuasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will make arrangements for the virological scientist, Colin G Fink, to be supplied with fixed (non infectious) virus or extracted nucleic acid (RNA) from the foot and mouth virus currently causing the infection so that he may develop a rapid specific viral assay, following the requests made and apparent agreement to do so given by Lindsay Harris of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Dr Paul Kitching, Head of the Exotic Disease Reference Laboratory at Pirbright in meetings held on 24 April. [HL2145]
§ Baroness HaymanThis subject is a complex matter, dealing with a major notifiable disease which spreads rapidly. The request referred to raises important issues of biosecurity and disease control and is under discussion. No agreement to this request was given or implied by any civil servant of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The official in question offered to put Colin G Fink in contact with the relevant experts, which was done.
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will place a copy of the reply by the Chief Veterinary Officer to Cuba's offer of veterinary assistance in relation to the foot and mouth outbreak in the Library of the House. [HL2147]
§ Baroness HaymanA copy of the letter will be made available to the Library of the House as requested.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they received up-to-date technology from New Zealand to help them handle a foot and mouth outbreak; if so, when; and whether such technology was tested when it arrived. [HL1799]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Ministry has been contracted partners with New Zealand to the EpiMAN project since 1996. EpiMAN is a decision support system which combines epidemiological knowledge of foot and mouth disease with computer information processing techniques. An updated version of the system was obtained and installed on Monday 26 February 2001. This system has been developed over a number of years using the experience from previous outbreaks. Therefore no further evaluation was required.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
What help they have asked for from New Zealand to handle the foot and mouth outbreak; and what assistance has been given. [HL1800]
§ Baroness HaymanThere is an agreement between the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the USA for the exchange of veterinary resources in the event of a foot and mouth disease epidemic. Therefore government veterinary staff252WA from New Zealand and these other countries have assisted in the control and investigation of the epidemic. In addition, approximately 20 private veterinarian surgeons from New Zealand have volunteered and are assisting in the control of the disease.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that Dumfries and Galloway has been as hard hit by foot and mouth disease as Cumbria; and, if it has, why was it not referred to in the Statement by the Baroness Hayman on 26 April. [HL1939]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Government and, in Scotland, the Scottish Executive will work to identify ways of assisting the recovery of the farming sector. Particular attention will be given to those areas where the incidence of foot and mouth disease has been highest, namely Cumbria (681 cases*), Dumfries and Galloway (173* cases) and Devon (163 cases*).
*cases at 7 May 2001.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
With regard to the foot and mouth outbreak, how they reconcile the phrase used by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 26 April "as the disease is brought under control" with his remark on 13 March on BBC Radio 4, "I am certain that we have it under control". [HL1944]
§ Baroness HaymanFrom the outset we have had a range of control measures in place. That these have been effective in controlling the disease is shown by the rapid decline in the number of confirmed cases.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 2 May (WA 270), when the policy of disinfecting stock before burning was announced; how it was disseminated to farmers; and what checks have been made to ensure that all stock were sprayed before being burned; and [HL2090]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 2 May (WA 270), whether there is an increased risk of disease or pollutants being spread by the burning of sprayed as opposed to unsprayed stock. [HL2091]
§ Baroness HaymanCarcasses are sprayed with an approved disinfectant before burning, which destroys any virus on the outside of the animal and so reduces the risk of any infection spreading at this stage. This is an established policy, contained in the standing instructions to the field State Veterinary Service. The procedure of spraying carcasses has not been specifically publicised to farmers. Disinfection of carcasses is the responsibility of my department. The procedure is supervised at all times by an appropriate person.
253WAExpert advice from the Environment Agency is that there is no difference in air pollution between burning sprayed and unsprayed carcasses.
§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 2 May (WA 270), When the research into the effects of quicklime on carcasses was done; and by whom. [HL2093]
§ Baroness HaymanThe addition of quicklime to carcasses is an historical practice and was done for the purpose of killing organisms such as anthrax spores. It is not necessary in this situation, as the foot and mouth virus is killed by the natural decomposition process. No recent research into the effects of lime on carcasses has been undertaken.