57. Major Keatinģeasked the Minister of Food if, when an area is closed by foot-and-mouth disease restrictions, he will make adequate arrangements for the slaughter of marketable pigs and other livestock within that area, bearing in mind especially the shortage of feeding-stuffs.
§ Mr. MabaneI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise the inconvenience caused to farmers by restrictions on the movement of livestock imposed as a result of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Whenever practicable, special arrangements are made to accept marketable animals for slaughter without delay, but it is not possible to guarantee that the necessary labour and equipment will always be available within the infected area.