§ 57. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases in which the compulsory destruction of all cattle has taken place on farms, following cases of foot-and-mouth disease, during the six months ended to the last convenient date?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONTwelve outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in the six months ended 1st November, and in nine cases the total 596 stock on the farms, amounting to 344 cattle, 108 sheep and 56 pigs, were slaughtered at a cost of £8,065 in compensation. In the other three cases, in which the total stock amounted to 311 cattle, 585 sheep and 502 pigs, the numbers slaughtered were 166 cattle, 67 sheep and 456 pigs, with compensation amounting to £4,768 5s. 6d. In the three last mentioned cases the stock not slaughtered had not been exposed to the risk of infection.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has received any protests from different bodies of farmers' associations that the rules are too drastic?
§ Mr. BUXTONNo, Sir.
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a suspicion amounting almost to certainty that foot-and-mouth disease, which he has mentioned, has followed upon the importation of foreign corn and will he investigate this matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONPerhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question on that point. It hardly arises on this question.