§ Mr. LANE-FOX(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state how many animals have been affected by the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, how many have been slaughtered up to date, and what percentage this represents of the flocks and 130 herds of the country; whether he is advised that the policy of slaughter is necessary under the present circumstances, and what has been the policy adopted by other countries to check the disease, and with what result?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)The Ministry was first informed of the existence of this disease on 23rd January, and the total number of premises on which disease has been confirmed up to midnight on 7th February is 477.
The total number of animals as yet authorised by the Ministry to be slaughtered is approximately as follows:
The cattle slaughtered amount to about ⅛ of one per cent. of the total cattle in Great Britain, and of the other animals much less.
- 8,500 cattle (of which a large proportion are fat).
- 1,000 sheep.
- 2,500 pigs.
The Ministry is dealing with this situation by slaughter of all animals which are actually affected, or which, owing to immediate contact, are sure to become affected. In certain cases where no undue risk of the spread of disease is involved, and where facilities for isolation exist, animals may be isolated and kept under observation.
After the most careful consideration of the circumstances of this outbreak, I consider that this policy is the best that can be adopted in order to check the spread of disease and to secure its rapid eradication.
This policy was adopted with success by the United States in 1914–16, when an expenditure of nearly £1,500,000 was incurred in suppressing an outbreak. This policy is also adopted by Sweden and Norway. In France and other adjoining Continental countries it has been found impracticable to adopt the stamping-out policy owing to the magnitude of the attack and the land frontiers. It is estimated that in France some 855,000 cattle were affected in 1919–20, and that the loss amounted to about £5,000,000.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to prohibit the importation of cattle from Ireland or to secure their more efficient inspection?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI should like to say that up to date we have not been able to connect the attack with Irish importation, but as a matter of precaution no animals can be brought to this country from Ireland now except for immediate slaughter.
§ Mr. HAYDAYHow are the carcases ultimately destroyed?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThey are burned and buried—the carcases, that is to say, of the affected animals; not, of course, those of the animals which have only been in contact.
§ Major WHELERIn the case of cattle coming from Ireland, is it possible to trace them as to the source from which they came in Ireland, and can the right hon. Gentleman say that there is efficient inspection in the places from which they come, in order to make sure that there is no disease there?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAs I have said, we have not been able to connect the disease with animals coming from Ireland. Whether there is efficient inspection or not is a question I could not answer, but I should like to point out that, if the disease had been brought from Ireland, there would necessarily be a great deal of disease in Ireland, and that fact could not be hidden. As far as we know, however, the disease does not exist in Ireland.
§ Major WHELERIs it not the fact that until this outbreak there was no disease in England?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThat is quite true, but there has been and there is a great deal of disease in the North of Europe, and we have had sporadic outbreaks of disease in different places continuing for the last 12 months. It is quite true that until about three months ago we were clear, and I was hoping that we should remain clear, when, unfortunately, this outbreak occurred.
§ Mr. ROYCEIn view of the success that has attended inoculation, is the Ministry of Agriculture pursuing investigation in this direction at the present time, and has the right hon. Gentleman any alternative to the present system of slaughtering cattle?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir, we have always been endeavouring by research to 132 ascertain the origin of the disease, but, unfortunately, without success up to date. The figures, however, which I have quoted show that, where the other policy of isolation is adopted, a great many animals become affected, and with very great loss. I wish to preserve our herds from that very heavy loss.
§ Colonel MILDMAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman's information to date lead him to think that there is any extension further south, in districts which have hitherto been immune from this disease?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThere is, I am sorry to say, one extension in the south, I believe, near Andover; but up to date every single case that we have been able to trace has been traceable to the original source of infection. Of course, if it becomes epidemic and spreads from one place to another, we shall have to reconsider our policy; but so long as we can trace the cases, as we have up to date, to the original source of infection, I have hopes that we may suppress it by the present policy.
Mr. PERCYIn the case of those animals which are slaughtered, but which are not actually affected, is the flesh fit for human food?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes. A great many contact animals have been slaughtered. They were fatting animals that would have been slaughtered in any case, and they are of course available for the food supply.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSWill the export of pedigree stock from this country to Ireland now be completely suspended, in view of the danger of infecting clean herds in Ireland?
§ Sir DONALD MACLEANWith regard to questions relating to Scotland, should they be addressed to the right hon. Gentleman, as the Minister responsible, and not to the Secretary for Scotland?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAs regards diseases of animals, my Ministry is the office responsible, but I may say that in this matter I have been working in close accord with the Secretary for Scotland, although I am the person responsible.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs there efficient inspection, on this side of the Channel, of cattle arriving from Ireland?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir, certainly. As I have already said, no animals can now be landed from Ireland except for immediate slaughter, and they are inspected in the lairs before they are sent for slaughter.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the inspection is quite efficient?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI hope so, and, as I have said, I have not up to date been able to connect the disease with Irish importation.
§ Captain Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman say what was the original source of the infection?
Sir A. BOSCAWENA great many theories have been advanced by scientists, and it is very difficult for me to express an opinion, but the prevalent doctrine now is that the disease is carried by birds across the North Sea. Whether that be the fact or not I cannot say. A committee of scientists who inquired into the question last year failed to come to any definite conclusion as to how the disease is caused.
§ Colonel YATEWhat was the original place of infection in this country?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe disease first appeared at Newcastle market among animals sent there for sale, but we have reason to believe that it has been found in some of these animals at a previous market. We have not been able definitely to trace it.
§ Colonel YATEIs it known where those animals came from?
§ Major HOWARDIs it true that the first outbreak in Suffolk was from Irish cattle, and from where did those Irish cattle come?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs it not true that the infected cattle at Norwich Cattle Market came from Ireland?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe place from which those cattle came is now under investigation. I cannot say they came from Ireland. I have no information.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs there any need to make investigation when the cattle which were infected came straight from Ireland to Norwich?