§ 57. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement showing the countries from which imported poultry arrived that were the known source of spreading fowl pest in this country during 1950; and whether imports are still being received from these countries.
Mr. T. WilliamsThere is evidence that infection from imported Polish and Hungarian poultry carcases has caused outbreaks of fowl pest in this country this year. Poultry carcases are still being imported from Poland.
§ Mr. DyeWould it not be advisable to stop the importations from these countries where this disease is prevalent, so as to protect our vast flocks of poultry?
Mr. WilliamsPersonally, I should like to be able to say that we can manage very well without any importations; but I am afraid we cannot do without Polish imports at this moment without a grave shortage of poultry.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs this not another instance of the lack of co-operation between the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Agriculture?
§ Mr. James HudsonWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the fowl pest which is causing the greatest trouble is the high prices being charged by British farmers, which leads to the necessity for importing foreign poultry?
§ Mr. DyeIs my right hon. Friend aware that my hon. Friend's statement is quite untrue? Is he aware that last year the farmers received very much lower prices, which is one of the causes for the shortage of fowls from our farms?
§ 58. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of fowl pest have occured in Norfolk during 1950; whether the source of infection has been discovered; and what steps have been taken to prevent the spread of this disease.
Mr. T. WilliamsThere have been four such outbreaks. One was due to the spread of infection from neighbouring premises. The other three may have been caused by the purchase of infected birds at markets, but the source of infection has not been definitely ascertained, and inquiries are still being made. All poultry on the infected premises, and other poultry thought to have been exposed to direct infection, were slaughtered and the carcases destroyed, and the premises have been disinfected. Notices have also been served on poultry keepers who bought birds in the markets which may have been affected restricting the movement of poultry into and off their premises.
§ Mr. DyeIs it not clear that unless we take adequate steps to stop the spread of this disease it will hinder the supply of poultry for the Christmas market? Is it not most important that urgent steps should be taken?
Mr. WilliamsI can assure my hon. Friend that all reasonable steps have been taken in looking after the 90 million poultry in the United Kingdom.
§ Major Sir Thomas DugdaleWill the Minister bear in mind that although we raised this question a year ago, nothing has been done in the matter?
Mr. WilliamsI wholly disagree that nothing has been done. The fact that there have been only four outbreaks in Norfolk this year indicates the effectiveness of our policy.