HC Deb 19 April 1956 vol 551 cc1172-3
50. Sir H. Linstead

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the present Regulations with regard to the slaughter of cattle, and the packaging and transport of the carcases to this country have proved sufficient to prevent any transmission of foot-and-mouth disease from the Argentine to this country during recent years; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Heathcoat Amory)

Circumstantial evidence points to South American carcases as the likely source of some outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain in recent years. Because South American meat is such a significant proportion of our total supplies, some risk has to be accepted; it is reduced as far as possible by special precautions agreed with the exporting countries. I am sending my hon. Friend details of these precautions.

Sir H. Linstead

Do I understand from my right hon. Friend's reply that he is satisfied that conditions in Argentina are superior to the conditions in other countries in respect of which permission to import is not granted?

Mr. Amory

We take each country on its merits, and whenever we can find that the conditions justify us in removing a country from the prohibited list, we are very glad to do so. In recent years, we have been able to remove about six European countries from that list. In the case of South American countries, there is no doubt that there is some evidence of risk still obtaining.

51. Sir H. Linstead

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries, in addition to the Argentine, have sufficiently satisfied his Department with regard to their measures for controlling foot-and-mouth disease to be permitted to export fresh meat to this country.

Mr. Amory

Following is the list: Territories from which (under animal health regulations) fresh meat may be admitted into Great Britain Unconditionally

  1. Australia.
  2. Canada.
  3. Channel Islands.
  4. Falkland Islands.
  5. Finland.
  6. Iceland.
  7. Isle of Man.
  8. New Zealand.
  9. Northern Ireland.
  10. Norway.
  11. Republic of Ireland.
  12. Union of South Africa.
Subject to veterinary safeguards
  1. Brazil.
  2. Chile.
  3. Colombia.
  4. Denmark.
  5. Holland.
  6. Southern Rhodesia (except native districts).
  7. Sweden.
  8. Switzerland.
  9. United States of America.*
  10. Uruguay.
 * Excluding pig-meat.