§ 52. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture what further action he is taking to safeguard British herds, in view of the official statement that the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Devon and Dorset began in pigs that had been fed on swill containing scraps of meat of foreign origin?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)On the 19th November I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tavistock (Brigadier-General Wright) that the first animals affected in the Plymouth series of outbreaks were pigs which had been fed on swill containing scraps of meat of foreign origin. I have, however, made no such statement about the Dorset outbreaks, and no pigs were affected in these two cases. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Boiling of Animal Foodstuffs) Order, 1928, if properly observed, provides an effective means of preventing animals from becoming infected by any foot-and-mouth disease virus there may be in swill. I have recently asked local authorities, chief constables of counties and boroughs, and the National Farmers' Union to use every means at their disposal to bring again to the notice of persons concerned their obligations under this and other Orders, and I shall continue to do all in my power by prosecution of offenders and otherwise, to render the Orders effective.