HC Deb 05 November 1969 vol 790 cc996-8
17. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have now joined the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme; if he is satisfied with the progress being made; and if he will make a statement.

21. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the Brucellosis Eradication Scheme.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Up to the end of October, some 5,800 herds in Great Britain had been registered as accredited and a further 7,000 herds were undergoing qualifying tests. The number of herds in the scheme represents about 6 per cent. of the total herds or 13 per cent. of the total cattle in Great Britain. We are currently getting fresh applications at the rate of about 130 a week.

I regard this as encouraging, but I am keeping the scheme under constant review.

Mr. Kitson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some areas the incidence of brucellosis has risen since the eradication scheme was introduced? Why when a restocking programme followed the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Cheshire did not the Ministry suggest that people should buy brucella-free cattle, as this would have been a golden opportunity to get a brucella-free area?

Mr. Hughes

This was a matter for the farmers concerned. Our advisory services are constantly at their disposal. There is a very good relationship between our advisory officers in the field and farmers in the area.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a tremendous amount of good will between the farming community and this House to make the scheme a success? Will he do two things; first try to arrest the spread of the disease by control of reactors, and second, approach it on an area-by-area basis to give the farming industry more confidence in ultimate success?

Mr. Hughes

I should like to look at the area-by-area question, but I believe we must first build up a reservoir of known disease-free stock for replacement purposes. while the scheme is progressing vaccinal reators will be culled naturally. What we cannot do at present is to undertake a move to total eradication. About 14 per cent. of cows would react, many because they have been vaccinated, and to slaughter all those animals would be costly, wasteful and unnecessary at present. We are anxious to make as much progress as we can.

Mr. Godber

While I am grateful for that answer, I think that the majority of farmers are getting more and more impatient. Will the right hon. Gentleman look carefully at the two suggestions put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith), especially at the possibility of area eradication? I was surprised when the right hon. Gentleman that he would have to look at that. I had assumed that he must have considered the possibilities in the past. I hope that he will make an effort to get this started.

Mr. Hughes

I am extremely interested in area eradication. There was great pressure for my own constituency of Anglesey to be treated as a county where this could take place, because it is an island. I have had to resist that pressure because I believe that my experts have given me the right advice about the need first to get a reservoir of brucellafree herds.

Mr. Kitson

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.