HC Deb 12 July 1948 vol 453 cc834-5
50. Sir John Barlow

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total losses in numbers and value due to fowl pest during the last convenient 12 months.

Mr. T. Williams

About 180,000 birds were slaughtered owing to fowl pest during the 12 months ended 30th June under the instructions of my Department. I have no record, of course, of the birds that died from the disease before my Department became aware of outbreaks, but the number is probably of the order of 20,000. The value of the birds that have died and been slaughtered is estimated at about £210,000.

Sir J. Barlow

Will the Minister say whether more recent outbreaks are diminishing?

Mr. Williams

The number of outbreaks in April, May and June, was 12, 20 and 25, respectively.

Mr. Bowles

Are the Minister and his advisers quite satisfied that killing is the only way of stopping this pest, and will he examine with an open mind any proposals for some kind of cure rather than slaughter?

Mr. Williams

The action taken was the best upon the expert advice available to me, but should there be any proposal of an alternative means of dealing with the problem I shall be very happy to look at it.

Mr. Tolley

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the steps so far taken by his Department are effective in stamping out this disease?

Mr. Williams

I am certain that the various orders which we have issued have been extremely useful in reducing the number of fowl pest outbreaks.