Swine Fever (Hansard, 18 February 1963)

§ 15. Miss Quennell
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the long duration and widespread application of the swine fever restrictions on the movement of weaners and fatteners is causing financial hardship among pig breeders and is being interpreted as a device for diminishing his Department's financial liability in readiness for the commencement of compensating payments, beginning next month; and if he will give an assurance that these restrictions will be lifted as soon as practicable.

§ Mr. Soames
The incidence of swine fever in 1962 was considerably higher than in previous years and it is important that it be reduced in order 10 to provide the best possible prospect that the forthcoming slaughter policy will speedily eradicate the disease. The imposition of area restrictions is a well proved method of reducing the incidence of the disease. I realise that these restrictions involve hardship and I can assure my hon. Friend that they are lifted as soon as it is safe to do so. I am sure that pig producers understand that the measures taken to eradicate the disease are in their interests as much as in the Exchequer's

§ Miss Quennell
In thanking my right hon. Friend for his Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that in areas where there has been an outbreak, and in more distant areas, the movement of pigs and particularly of weaners and fatteners has been virtually prohibited for weeks?

§ Mr. Soames
I assure my hon. Friend that we do not maintain these restrictions unnecessarily. The whole industry realises the importance of the new policy, which we will be starting in March, of trying to eradicate the disease. It is essential to set the scene and to get the disease at as low a level as possible before we begin so that it may succeed as quickly as possible in the interests of the industry as a whole.

§ Miss Quennell
Will my right hon. Friend keep all the present arrangements constantly under review to see whether their working can be modified or improved in any way as we go along?

§ Mr. Soames
I assure my hon. Friend that movement restrictions in all the counties are constantly reviewed. We have lifted eight recently and two more are coming off this week.