§ 14. Mr. Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in tackling swine fever; and if, for compensation purposes, he will consider treating this disease on the same lines as foot-and-mouth.
§ Mr. SoamesI presume my hon. Friend is referring to a slaughter policy, which, as I announced on 20th December, the Government have decided in principle to introduce. Working out the details of such a policy and consulting the interested organisations is bound to take some time but we are getting on as quickly as 319 possible. The basis of compensation for animals compulsorily slaughtered is fixed by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950.
§ Mr. BossomI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. Can he give a target date when he hopes the entire country will be clear, bearing in mind that Scotland, most of Wales, and Northern England are now clear?
§ Mr. SoamesI am afraid that I cannot at this moment give a target date. Indeed, we still have to work out the details of the scheme, but we will get on with it as quickly as we can.