§ 22. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost in compensation paid for the destruction of poultry in connection with the outbreaks of fowl pest during 1955 up to the latest available date.
Mr. AmoryThe cost of compensation for poultry slaughtered and hatching eggs destroyed in the 569 outbreaks of fowl pest confirmed in 1955, up to 24th November, is approximately £280,000.
§ Mr. DyeIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the methods of control? Does not he think that if he had been ruthless at the beginning of the outbreaks this disease could have been stamped out much quicker, and with a great saving in compensation, which poultry keepers do not want?
Mr. AmoryI am never satisfied that arrangements are as good as I hoped they would be, but I would remind the hon. Member that one has to balance the risks against the unnecessary imposition of regulations which may cause very great 16 losses to the producers concerned. I would also remind him that, to date this year, the total extent of this trouble and the total compensation paid out have been substantially less than was the case last year.
§ Mr. DyeIs the Minister aware that, in Norfolk at any rate, farmers are very much against the present system of control and want a system very similar to that used in the case of foot-and-mouth disease?