HC Deb 15 June 1959 vol 607 cc4-6
9. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the past year have been attributed to infection brought by chilled and frozen meat from South America; and what has been the cost of compensation for the stock slaughtered.

Mr. Godber

In the period June, 1958, to May, 1959, inclusive, there have been eight primary outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease of which five have been attributed to the introduction of infection with meat from South America. In the same period the cost of compensation for stock slaughtered in the out-breaks both primary and secondary, that have been attributed to infection from imported meat amounted to about £34,500.

10. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now considered the report of the mission sent by the Food and Agriculture Organisation to South America last year to study the foot-and-mouth disease situation there and its influence on the spread of disease in Europe through imports of meat; and what action is being taken on the mission's recommendations.

Mr. Godber

This comprehensive report has been endorsed by the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and will be further considered at the next conference of F.A.O. I hope that if these recommendations and any further suggestions made by the F.A.O. are adopted, the situation may improve. Her Majesty's Government are already in consultation with the Governments in South America, in particular, to see how the resources of the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Centre can be increased as suggested in the report.

Sir A. Hurd

In the light of the findings of this mission and the not altogether satisfactory conclusions reached about sanitary and hygienic arrangements in dealing with cattle coming here in the form of chilled meat, will the Department keep a close watch on this matter through veterinary surgeons in Buenos Aires, particularly to ensure that cattle in movement are in clean trucks and full vaccination takes place in the Argentine?

Mr. Godber

We are well aware of the points raised by my hon. Friend and will bear them in mind.

Mr. Champion

Are we assisting provision of supplies of vaccine to areas where there is a shortage?

Mr. Godber

We are willing to consider suggestions about that at any time.