§ 3. Commander Scott-Millerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of suspected cases of swine fever reported during the last six months; how many of these were subsequently unconfirmed; and, of the latter, what were the causes of swine fever suspicions; and in how many cases were the suspicions not attributable to any positive cause.
Mr. Amory1,945 suspected cases of swine fever were reported in the six months to 28th February, 1957. 1,591 have been found not to be swine fever; in three cases it has not yet been possible to arrive at a diagnosis. I cannot say precisely what symptoms in pigs prompt owners to suspect the disease, but I think it unlikely that owners would report suspicions without positive cause. It is certainly in the public interest that owners should report promptly the least suspicion of swine fever rather than waiting to see whether their suspicions are justified, even though this means that many cases are reported that are not subsequently confirmed.
§ Commander Scott-MillerIs my right hon. Friend aware of the large number of cases which subsequently prove not to have been swine fever? In such cases should not the pig producer be informed of the nature of the disease and the cause of death? He is put to considerable expense and is never informed by the Minister's officials what the cause of death is, unless it happens to be a case of swine fever.
Mr. AmoryI will look into the point which my hon. and gallant Friend has raised, but he knows that one of the main problems about swine fever is that the diagnosis is particularly difficult.