HC Deb 24 November 1947 vol 444 cc1600-1
66. Mr. Percy Wells

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that his Department is fully informed on the experiments in the immunisation of cattle against foot and mouth disease, carried out in the Argentine; and whether he is prepared to give immediate consideration to the immunisation of British stock generally.

Mr. T. Williams

My Department is fully aware of the nature of the immunisation experiments against foot-and-mouth disease that have been carried out in the Argentine. There are, however, essential differences between conditions in Argentina and here, and I am not prepared to give my support to a practice which, I am advised, could not give complete protection but might tend to mask the disease, and thus to render the eradication policy less effective.

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that the Argentine Rosenbusch vaccine gives only partial protection, but the Waldmann vaccine provides complete immunity?

Mr. Williams

My veterinary advisers inform me to the contrary. In any case, two of my veterinary surgeons are in the Argentine now.

Mr. Turton

Will they go on to Chile, where they have got a good deal further than the Argentine?