§ 4. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that since the development of Strain 19 vaccine there is a possibility of completely eradicating contagious abortion in cattle; and what he is doing to increase the use of this vaccine.
§ Mr. GodberI am advised that contagious abortion in cattle can be controlled but not necessarily eradicated by the use of Strain 19 vaccine. Vaccinated animals may be infected with the brucella organism without actually aborting, and so be capable of spreading the disease. Veterinary surgeons and farmers generally are well aware of the advantages of calf vaccination, and the quantity of vaccine issued annually from the Central Veterinary Laboratory has risen steadily over the last few years.
§ Mr. de FreitasIn view of the very remarkable success of this vaccine in many countries abroad, what is the Minister going to do even further to encourage its use? Is it a technical 3 problem or a financial problem, or lack of enthusiasm, which is holding up such a drive?
§ Mr. GodberI do not know that I would agree that the drive is being held up. I think we are making very useful progress. The dosage which has been used in the last three years has risen very substantially indeed, and so I would put it to the hon. Gentleman that we are really progressing pretty rapidly.