HC Deb 13 April 1961 vol 638 cc477-8
35. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, after considering the 1960 Report of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, recording 11,537 outbreaks in Italy, 7,832 outbreaks in France, and 1,386 outbreaks in Germany, he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to clear up the disease in Europe and so reduce the risk of infection crossing the English Channel.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)

Thanks largely to the efforts of the organisation to which my hon. Friend refers, substantial progress has been made in reducing the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease in many Continental countries. I know that the authorities in these countries realise the importance to themselves and to others of eradicating the disease, and I am sure this good work will continue.

Sir A. Hurd

Will my hon. Friend deal with the second part of the Question? Is he satisfied that the measures which we take are fully effective in preventing infection crossing the English Channel?

Mr. Vane

I do not think that it would be right for me to express so precise an opinion as to say that I am entirely satisfied, but a great deal is being done on the Continent and everything which is done there to reduce the incidence of the disease must be to our advantage.

Mr. W. Yates

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Shropshire N.F.U. and others believe that the most virulent form of foot-and-mouth disease comes not from the Continent but from the Argentine? What steps is he taking about that?

Mr. Vane

There are several different strains of the foot-and-mouth virus. The question which my hon. Friend puts was debated at some length on the Adjournment not long ago.