§ 28. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture what administrative action he proposes to take following upon the conclusion of the Government of Northern Ireland, after thorough expert investigation, that last summer's serious outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in this country had its origin in vegetables imported from disease-ridden countries of the Continent?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe only effective action possible would appear to lie in the direction of the prohibition of imports. How far such action is justified and practicable must be determined in the light of all the circumstances. The information at the disposal of my Department would not at present justify such action in the case of Continental vegetables, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the position will continue to be carefully watched.
§ Mr. HURDDoes that reply mean that these vegetables, which may carry the virus of the disease, are still to come in here?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAll that I can say is that in the numerous cases of foot-and-mouth disease, while some of them have been attributed to such origin, that has not been the fact in the general case.