§ 17. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made this summer in dealing with warble fly in cattle; and what action has been taken under the Warble Fly Order.
§ Sir T. DugdaleMy Department has again conducted a publicity campaign to remind farmers of their obligation to dress warble-infested cattle, but it is too early yet to assess the effectiveness of this campaign since the dressing season has only just ended. Preliminary reports indicate that the response from farmers may have been somewhat better this year than in the past. The administration of the Warble Fly Order is the responsibility of the police and local authorities, and I regret I have no information about any proceedings that have been taken under the Order.
§ Mr. HurdWill my right hon. Friend keep a much closer watch on this problem than has been kept for many years past and, in view of the success of the Ministry's methods in dealing with sheep scab, see whether the same kind of method cannot be applied to warble fly?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI think my hon. Friend will agree that this is a more difficult problem to spot. My Department is carrying out an experiment in the Isle of Wight to assess how it might be possible to exercise a very tight control, and how much it will cost.