SCOTLAND (FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE) (Hansard, 29 November 1967)

HC Deb 29 November 1967 vol 755 cc441-52 441

§ Mr. David Steel (by Private Notice)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now give clear guidance to the local authorities in the Border counties as to the steps which they should be taking to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease into Scotland.

§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)
The veterinary advice given to my right hon. Friend the Minister 442 of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is responsible for operational control measures against foot and mouth throughput Great Britain, is that, while the initiatives taken in this matter by local authorities and others are to be welcomed, there are, in fact, few steps open to them that can add materially to the protection provided by the widespread control measures put into operation by my right hon. Friend.
I should, however, like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the various voluntary measures taken by public and private bodies throughout Scotland in restricting movements and activities involving contact with livestock.

§ Mr. Steel
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am grateful to his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for seeing me so quickly about this problem yesterday? Is he aware, however, that different policies are being pursued by different counties along the Border? Should not disinfectant splashes be set up on all roads into Scotland and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to see that the cost involved in doing this does not fall on the ratepayers of these counties?

§ Mr. Ross
If I thought that it was necessary to give that advice, it would be given, but I do not believe that it is essential at the moment. While appreciating the concern which everyone feels about this, I would be reluctant to dissuade anybody from taking action that might be helpful. Naturally, the action that is taken varies according to where it is taken. If disinfectant splashes are established at, for example, individual farm entrances, that is of far more value than establishing them on busy roads.

§ Mr. Noble
Will the right hon. Gentleman keep the situation under very careful observation with his right hon. Friend who, I know, has operational control in this matter? I say that because it appears odd to Scottish farmers that disinfectant straw mats are being laid across bridges over the Thames while no similar effort is being made in Scotland.
As soon as the right hon. Gentleman feels that something useful can be done, will he take the necessary steps and make certain that all local authorities cooperate with his staff to achieve the maximum security along the Border?

443

§ Mr. Ross
This Question arises because of the contact that has existed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's veterinary officials, local authorities and local farming interests. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am in very close contact at all times with my right hon. Friend about this matter. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman is not unaware of the stringency of control already applying in Scotland; the control area machinery and the fact that there is no movement of livestock either way between England and Scotland.

§ Mr. Rankin
Has my right hon. Friend noticed that the Irish Governments, both North and South, have decided to seal off Ireland in the interests of safety, although Ireland has the safeguard of the water that surrounds her shores? Is he satisfied that, because of Scotland's contiguity with England, similar steps might not be advantageous to the farmers and people of Scotland?

§ Mr. Ross
I am satisfied at the moment by what is being done in concentrating on the areas which have been so disastrously affected and to ensure that there is control and isolation there. I am also satisfied, in addition to the steps that have been taken in those areas, that steps are being taken in Scotland and on the Borders—indeed, in all contiguous areas—to limit movement.

§ Mr. Monro
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the precautions being taken by Dumfries County Council on the Border are being taken entirely at the council's own initiative and that they are costing about £300 a week to run? Will the Secretary of State pay for this?

§ Mr. Ross
The hon. Gentleman knows that my generosity towards Scottish local authorities is such that I am prepared to consider anything. This and other authorities will not, I am sure, be unwilling to approach the Secretary of State for help, either directly or through the rate support grant.

§ Mr. Emrys Hughes
What are the latest figures of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth in Scotland?

§ Mr. Ross
We hope to keep the figures as they are; none at all.

444

§ Mr. Baker
Would the right hon. Gentleman assure the House on two points: first, of the efficiency of the germicides and viricides that are available; and, secondly, that adequate stocks of these exist should it be necessary to use them on a widespread scale in Scotland.

§ Mr. Ross
Yes, if the occasion should arise—but we must concentrate our resources at present on the affected areas and where the danger lies. The danger comes from these areas. This, in the long run, will be to the benefit of Scotland.

Mr. J. T. Price
Will the Secretary of State convey to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the deep admiration which many of us, certainly on this side of the House, feel for him and his Department for the great fortitude and industry with which they have coped with this grave epidemic? We also wish to congratulate the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the way in which he has resisted some of the hysterical appeals made to him to take panic measures at a time when the Ministry has proved beyond doubt that, coupled with the tactical efforts of his veterinary staff and the veterinary profession generally, everything possible has been done to allay the fears that still rest in the minds of many farmers?

§ Mr. Ross
I am sure that my hon. Friend was expressing the true feelings of the House for the efforts of my right hon. Friend and his staff. Some of the pressures put on him were a bit unfair; for example, it was suggested that he should have been visiting some smallholdings at this time.

§ Mr. Brewis
At this time of year, when there is usually a good deal of movement of stock in Scotland between farms, what advice is the Secretary of State giving to farmers about whether these moves should take place? Will he also give guidance about the holding of public functions like young farmers' club meetings?

§ Mr. Ross
If anybody is in doubt on this issue, he should get in touch with the veterinary services. This applies to both movements and gatherings. I welcome the voluntary efforts that have been made to restrict these movements. As 445 the hon. Gentleman no doubt knows, the movement of stock is subject to licence, in any case. Each application is considered on its merits, and although there have been suggestions about certain hardships being caused by the complete barrier that exists between Scotland and England, these must be accepted in the present situation.

§ Mr. James Davidson
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to my information, there is still some movement of horses and ponies between prohibited areas in England and areas so far free of foot-and-mouth in Scotland? What steps does he intend to take to try to prevent this movement?

§ Mr. Ross
The first thing is to get the information about it.

Earl of Dalkeith
Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is not only the movement of livestock that causes anxiety to farmers in Scotland, but the movement of lorries and other vehicles from the South into Scotland? In view of the layout of the Scottish Border, would it not be sensible now to have certain control points on the Border with disinfectant pads and mats?

§ Mr. Ross
I have already said that the real danger points are at the farm roads. I am satisfied that the farmers themselves are taking certain steps. I do not want to spread or waste our efforts by taking measures which might be quite unnecessary.