§ 18. Mr. P. Browneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will authorise the use of the vaccine to immunise cattle against Johne's disease.
Mr. VaneThe progress of work on this vaccine has been carefully reviewed during the past few weeks. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to take a decision whether or not he can authorise its general use in about a year's time.
§ Mr. BrowneIs my hon. Friend aware that this is the third year running that I have asked this Question and that on previous occasions I have been answered by the Minister himself? I am delighted to know that there is a possibility that something will now be done. Does not my hon. Friend think that it would be possible to allow different vaccine to be used in self-contained herds which have a good record with no reactors for a number of years?
Mr. VaneMy hon. Friend knows, I think, that one of the difficulties of using this vaccine is that having vaccinated certain animals it is possible to mask the reinfection of tuberculosis. It is a highly complicated matter, and it would surely be a retrograde step to risk the spread of tuberculosis when we have virtually eradicated it from our cattle. Progress is, however, being made 20 and, as I have said, it is hoped that it may be possible to tackle this disease seriously in about a year's time.