§ 71. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what it would cost to vaccinate all calves against husk; and what is the present estimate of annual loss to farmers through deaths due to this disease.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Scott-Hopkins)Husk is not a notifiable disease and there are no figures either of incidence or of loss. The annual cost of dosing with oral vaccine all cattle under one year old in England and Wales would be about £3 million.
§ Mr. PavittIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread anxiety about the impact of husk and that the pharmaceutical profession is certain that it is preventable? Will he have another look at the possibility of vaccination to prevent the disease?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI am always prepared to have a look at anything which will help animal health and I will certainly do so for the hon. Member.