§ 47. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Agriculture how many outbreaks of fowl pest have occurred in Cornwall in recent months; how many birds were destroyed; and how much has been paid as compensation.
The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)There have been four outbreaks of fowl pest in Cornwall in recent months, all of which occurred in January. One thousand one hundred birds have been slaughtered, involving compensation of about £2,100.
§ 53. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture what assurances he has been given that dead poultry at present being imported from countries where fowl pest is endemic have not suffered from the disease or been in contact with birds that have died from it.
Mr. T. WilliamsArrangements have been made with the Polish Government that should ensure so far as it is practicable to do this, that infected poultry carcases are not sent to this country, and an assurance has been given that these arrangements are being complied with. Similar arrangements were made with the Hungarian Government, though at present poultry is not being imported from that country.
§ 54. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the import of dead poultry from countries where fowl pest disease is endemic.
§ 55. Mr. J. H. Hareasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the latest 2291 figures of the incidence of fowl pest since his last statement; and if he is now in a position to give a decision as to whether an embargo will be placed on poultry imports from foreign countries where the disease is known to exist.
§ 58. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the large number of protests he has now received from branches of the National Farmers' Union, he will ban the import of poultry carcases from countries known to be affected by fowl pest.
Mr. T. WilliamsI am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table, giving the number of outbreaks of fowl pest confirmed since 25th January, 1951. I am glad to say that the latest figures show a marked decrease in the number of outbreaks. As regards imports, I regret that I cannot at present add to recent statements on this subject.
§ Mr. HareCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to the House that, if the incidence of this disease increases in the future, he will keep an open mind on the question of an embargo on imports from those countries where the disease is known to be endemic?
§ Mr. AlportHas the right hon. Gentleman made any protest to the Minister of Food about the continued importation of dressed poultry direct to American Service camps in Norfolk?
Mr. WilliamsThe hon. Member had better ask the Minister of Food whether I have made any protest or not.
§ Following is the table:
| Number of outbreaks of fowl pest | |||
| England and Wales | Scotland | Total | |
| Week ended: | |||
| 1st February | 45 | 2 | 47 |
| 8th February | 51 | 9 | 60 |
| 15th February | 31 | 9 | 40 |
| 22nd February | 31 | 6 | 37 |
| 4 days to 26th | |||
| February | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 163 | 29 | 192 |