§ 5. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he is taking to prevent the introduction of sheep scab with sheep imported from Ireland.
Mr. AmoryI have come to the conclusion that the present regulations give as much protection as is practicable, and that the imposition of additional safeguards, such as requiring fat as well as store sheep to be dipped at the ports, would not be justified.
§ Mr. HurdCan my right hon. Friend say why we should not have effective safeguards against sheep scab brought into Britain by Irish sheep? We have not had a single case of sheep scab in Britain since 1952, but we have to go on taking precautions against the eventuality of sheep scab coming from Ireland. Why cannot we take effective action?
Mr. AmoryI think that the present provisions are reasonably effective. I am told that in 1956 only 12 sheep in three consignments were found to have sheep scab on inspection at the landing places out of a total of 327,771 imported.