HC Deb 21 October 1954 vol 531 cc1370-2
32. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the spread of myxomatosis among rabbits in this country.

33. Mr. Dudley Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture what evidence he now has that myxomatosis is being deliberately spread in the West Country.

35. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now introduce legislation to make the wilful spreading of myxomatosis illegal.

Mr. Amory

Myxomatosis is now present in all counties in England and Wales but one, and in 28 counties in Scotland. I have read reports about the deliberate spreading of this disease by individuals, but I have no direct evidence of this having been done in particular cases.

The Myxomatosis Advisory Committee considered at a meeting yesterday whether legislation should be introduced to make the wilful spreading of myxomatosis a punishable offence. While reaffirming their view that no attempt should be made to assist the spread of myxomatosis or to introduce it into unaffected areas of the country, the Committee unanimously recommended that, having regard to the course the disease had taken and might be expected to take in the future, no good purpose would be achieved at present by making it an offence for any person to take steps to spread the disease.

Mr. Morley

In view of the horrible nature of this disease, could the Minister not suggest an alternative method of getting rid of the rabbits?

Mr. Amory

I agree with the hon. Member that this is a most unpleasant disease. Many of us who have seen rabbits affected by it will feel that, but this is not as simple as it looks. Even considering the humanitarian aspect of it in complete isolation, which, I agree, is very important, I still feel that the present course which has been followed is probably the best.

Sir T. Moore

Has my right hon. Friend any information to confirm the reports that this beastly disease is now affecting other animals?

Mr. Amory

No. I should like to assure my hon. Friend that the only other animal which might be affected, and about which we have evidence, is the hare. All our evidence shows that the disease does not affect any other animal.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable apprehension among people who buy, or used to buy, rabbits for food? Could we have a scientific declaration on the matter, about whether it is possible for any of the rabbits affected by the disease to reach the market as food?

Mr. Amory

That is an important aspect of the matter, and I shall gladly consider the point the right hon. Gentleman has made.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that some of the farmers who were in favour of the spreading of this disease before it came in have changed their minds, now that they have seen the horrible cruelty it inflicts, and that public opinion is outraged, not by the destruction of rabbits, but by the cruel destruction of rabbits? Will he not, in spite of the Committee's report, do something to make the wilful spreading of the disease illegal, and to put out of their misery rabbits which are suffering a lingering death?

Mr. Amory

I know that many different views are held about the right course to pursue in the future. We may have an opportunity to discuss this question on the Pests Bill, which will shortly come before the House.

38. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement on the incidence of myxomatosis in Cornwall.

Mr. Amory

Since the first outbreak of myxomatosis in wild rabbits in Cornwall was confirmed on 11th May this year the disease has spread to about two-thirds of the county.

Mr. Hayman

Is the Minister aware that local authorities in Cornwall have had a heavy responsibility in dealing with dead and dying rabbits on the highways and by-ways, and that there is widespread concern at the fact that it has been publicly admitted by some people that they have deliberately spread this disease? Is he aware that public opinion now would favour making that an offence?

Mr. Amory

In the parts of the county where the disease has been rife I think it has resulted in the almost entire elimination of rabbits. I hope that as far as those parts of Cornwall are concerned, at least, the worst is now over.

Mr. Hale

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the law relating to cruelty to domestic animals applies to wild animals when they are in captivity, and that the circumstances in which, according to all the accounts, this disease is being deliberately spread, mean that the law is being permitted to be used for cruelty to wild animals in captivity, since they are taken from, say. Birmingham to North Wales, or some other distant place, while suffering from this horrible disease in order that it may be spread more widely?