Foot-and-Mouth Disease

HC Deb 16 March 1961 vol 636 c1747

44. Mr. More

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement as to the cause of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Mr. Vane

This primary outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred among cattle and pigs on premises at Bridgnorth on 10th March. The pigs had been fed on swill which may well have contained infected imported meat which had not been properly treated.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I trust that hon. Members will make their conversations a little quieter so that we can hear the Questions and Answers.

Mr. More

Is my hon. Friend aware that, following the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A. Hurd) on 2nd March, there is the gravest concern in the Bridgnorth area regarding this danger from swill? Would he consider if additional safeguard can be introduced against this danger?

Mr. Vane

We are always considering additional safeguards, but I hope my hon. Friend has noted the last words of my original reply, which were that the infected meat had not been properly treated.