HC Deb 07 July 1955 vol 543 cc1282-3
19. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of outbreaks of fowl pest during the past three months; and the number of birds destroyed.

Mr. Amory

In the three months to 30th June 105 outbreaks of fowl pest were confirmed, involving the slaughter of about 89,000 poultry.

Mr. Crouch

Have the outbreaks been confined to one area, and is research still being carried out to try to find a means of preventing outbreaks?

Mr. Amory

The outbreaks have not been confined to one area, but almost all of them have been outside the clean areas. Research is most certainly going forward to try to find ways of dealing with this terrible scourge.