§ 6. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the total numbers of poultry destroyed this year as a result of fowl pest disease; and what is the amount of compensation that has been paid.
Mr. AmoryOutbreaks of fowl pest this year, to 30th November, have involved the slaughter of about 890,000 birds, including 186,000 day-old chicks, and the destruction of 830,000 hatching 1422 eggs. Compensation is estimated to amount to £1 million.
§ Mr. DyeIn view of the fact that this disease has now been prevalent in this country for nine years and does not seem to be diminishing in any way, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the methods of tackling it are the best? Had not we better inquire into those methods and, rather than chase outbreaks of the disease, try to discover the places where the disease originates?
Mr. AmoryThis is a very important question, and every possible consideration and weight is being attached to its solution. On present evidence, I am quite certain that our present policy of slaughter and compensation is the right one. The only alternative that I know of at present, which would be to rely upon vaccination, would be far more expensive to the industry and, on present evidence, very much less effective.