HC Deb 05 December 1927 vol 211 cc966-7
27. Mr. TREVELYAN

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the results of the use of Yorkshire powders in warding off lamb disease; whether he is aware that for some years they have practically eliminated the disease wherever and for as long as they have been used on a farm; whether the Farmers' Union of England and Scotland has reported on the matter; and whether his Department has investigated the matter, and with what result?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with the right hon. Gentleman's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The right hon. Gentleman himself called my attention to the use of Yorkshire powders in May last. I consulted the Lamb Dysentry Research Committee, who reported on 27th June as follows:—

  1. "(1) The Committee attaches primary importance to investigations bearing on 967 the cause of the disease and the means by which it is spread, but considers that it is desirable wherever possible to test the actions of suitable drugs.
  2. (2)Having regard to the considerable variations which may occur in connection with the incidence and virulence of the disease, no reliance can be placed on the apparent success of the therapeutic measures unless these measures have been applied under more carefully regulated conditions with suitable controls.
  3. (3) With regard to the so-called "Yorkshire Powders," the evidence at present is quite inconclusive for the following reasons:
    1. (a) There have been many reports of apparent success attending their use, but in few, if any, of these instances have suitable control lambs been kept untreated.
    2. (b) In a number of reported instances serious mortality has occurred in spite of the use of these powders, which have appeared to exercise no beneficial influence whatever.

For these reasons the Committee feels that it is not in a position to express any opinion as to the possible value of these powders."

As lamb dysentry only occurs in the spring, the Committee have nothing more to add to their views.