HC Deb 23 March 1981 vol 1 cc637-43
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Peter Walker)

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement about foot and mouth disease.

As hon. Members will doubtless have heard, an outbreak of the disease was confirmed by the Ministry in the early hours of yesterday morning. In the middle of Saturday afternoon, a veterinary officer from my Department was called to a farm near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. After examining the cattle, samples were rushed to the Animal Virus Research Institute at Pirbright where, at 1 am on Sunday, it confirmed foot and mouth disease. Slaughtering of all cattle on the farm in question began at daybreak on Sunday morning. They were slaughtered humanely and buried; so, too, were the pigs on an adjoining farm, which were considered to be dangerous contacts, and the cattle on another farm on the island which had been visited by a relief milker who earlier had been on the infected farm. So far, 213 cattle and 337 pigs have been slaughtered. I know that I reflect the view of the whole House when I express sympathy to the farmers and their families whose livestock has had to be destroyed and who have seen a life's work come to a tragic end.

Movement restrictions were applied immediately on all farm animals in an area comprising the whole of the Isle of Wight and the southern part of Hampshire and Dorset—roughly from Christchurch to Portsmouth. As the House would expect, the most stringent precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The veterinary service is tracing all relevant movements which took place shortly before the outbreak was confirmed, including 16 cattle which were sent to Shaftesbury market, and has placed movement restrictions on the farms of destination. Close observation will be kept on the animals concerned.

I would repeat the advice given to farmers on the radio and television at frequent intervals yesterday to be especially vigilant and to report any suspicious symptoms in their animals. I would also ask the public in the affected area to keep off farm land where there is livestock and to collaborate with farmers in their observance of the restrictions.

It is too early to forecast the likely pattern of developments, but I shall, of course, keep the House informed.

Mr. Roy Mason (Barnsley)

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his statement. I should like to associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with his expression of sympathy to those who have lost their livestock. It would appear that the Ministry's veterinary officers moved in as rapidly as possible to contain the disease and help the affected farmers.

In view of the deep anxiety within the farming community, reflected in anxious inquiries to Members of Parliament, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange an all-party briefing so that Members may be fully briefed on the situation?

More immediately, will the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to curb imports which could be disease carriers and what co-operation he is getting from France in this regard, especially in the disinfecting of passengers and the movements of yachts and small boats? I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is still relying on a policy of slaughter and compensation and is not contemplating vaccination.

As regards the movement of milk in the affected areas, to what extent can the right hon. Gentleman assure consumers of there being no risk?

Finally, what power do the Government have today that they did not have in the last major outbreak in 1967? Does the right hon. Gentleman believe that further legislation might be required?

Mr. Walker

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his comments on the speed with which the Ministery's veterinary officers acted. The fact that between 1 am on Sunday morning when the disease was confirmed and 8 am the next morning the Department briefed the whole of the media, organised the slaughtering of cattle and stopped movements from the area was a remarkable achievement.

Briefing on an all-party basis is a constructive idea which I should like to take up. I shall endeavour later this week to organise a briefing for interested Members of Parliament and arrange for my chief veterinary officer and others to provide the briefing.

There is no lack of collaboration with France on imports. In areas where there are outbreaks in France there are total restrictions on the movement of meat not only out of but into France, let alone into this country. Quarantine regulations apply to live animals, so there is no problem there. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that there is no lack of collaboration by the French authorities on this topic.

I am pleased to confirm that the Government are operating a slaughter and compensation policy. From time to time there are critics of this policy. However, it has kept us free from this dreaded disease for 13 years. Countries which operate a vaccination policy—France is an example—have had outbreaks on a much bigger scale than we have had in the last 13 years.

The Milk Marketing Board has a code of conduct which it operates the moment an outbreak of foot and mouth disease takes place. That is being fully operated now. As an example of the speed with which action was taken, before the confirmation at 1 am on Sunday morning, the lorry containing milk from the affected farm was stopped in Southern England. The whole of the milk was duly heat-treated and then destroyed and the lorry was cleaned. Therefore, there was no distribution of milk from the affected farm. The board will be following that code of conduct throughout.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope to call those hon. Members who have stood up, if they co-operate.

Mr. Stephen Ross (Isle of Wight)

I thank the Minister for his expression of sympathy to those of my constituents who have been so tragically affected by this event. I should like to express my condolences to them as I have not yet been to see them.

Is the Minister aware that we have the highest praise for the speed and thorough way that his veterinary surgeons dealt with the outbreak, particularly as it was over a weekend and the farm concerned was not easy to get at? Having seen the disease, I believe that the right hon. Gentleman has done the right thing. The quicker the animals are slaughtered, the better, even if this policy has taken in cattle from a farm five miles away.

Is the strain definitely the same as the strain in France and the Channel Islands? Was it wind-blown? If so, that would seem to be fantastic. Have the 16 cattle which were sent to Shaftesbury market on Thursday been traced and checked? If so, what was the outcome of that check?

Mr. Walker

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his tributes to the staff of my Department and the speed with which they acted. I shall certainly convey his views to those in my Department who took part in this action.

It is impossible to say what the source of the infection was, in that it can be carried by wind, and it can be carried by starlings and other birds. However, if I were asked to guess at the cause of infection, I would say that it was unlikely that it came from Jersey in that only two cattle have contracted the disease in Jersey, both of which were immediately slaughtered. There has been no further outbreak since then. The strength and the direction of the prevailing winds tend to imply that the source was less likely to be Jersey than Brittany. If it is from Brittany, it is the longest distance on record that the disease has been carried by wind, but there were very strong prevailing winds and it is just possible that that happened.

The 16 cattle were mixed with some other cattle, making a total of 35. They were then sold to a number of farmers and a number of dealers. Again, it is a very considerable tribute to those concerned that all 35 cattle have now been traced and by early this afternoon all will have been tested. Most of them were tested early this morning. For those so far tested, there are no positive results.

Mr. Peter Mills (Devon, West)

I congratulate the Minister and his staff on the excellent way in which they have handled matters so far—which is nothing unusual. Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that he will have the full support of this House and, I believe, of the farming community when he takes whatever steps are necessary, even if some people may say that it is overdoing it, to stamp out this disease and its spread in this country? Finally, has any progress been made in trying to find a cure for this terrible disease?

Mr. Walker

There have been developments in areas such as vaccine, but on the science that is available to us at present there is no doubt that slaughter and eradication has proved a more successful policy, not only in this country but in a number of other countries which pursue it, than that of those countries which pursue a policy of vaccination. This policy has been adopted by successive British Governments, and they have been correct in so doing.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his tribute. He has very kindly mentioned it to myself and my staff. Whilst I am very willing to accept tributes, I must state that all of the action taken yesterday was taken automatically by the staff of my Department, and the tribute is to the chief veterinary officer and his colleagues who acted in this way.

I assure my hon. Friend that we shall take every possible vigilant action. Alas, were the disease to spread, we should have to take rather ruthless and seemingly unfair decisions, perhaps slaughtering animals that are unaffected, but in the cause of seeing that the disease is stopped.

Mr. Dafydd Wigley (Caernarvon)

I thank the Minister for his statement and for the prompt action, particularly in view of the feelings held in Wales on such matters, Wales having suffered very severely in the previous outbreak. Is the Welsh Office being kept fully informed about the current developments? Are the farming unions in the various parts of Britain being brought fully into discussions on this matter? Finally, will the Minister give an assurance that contact will be made with representatives of the Irish Government in case there is a more widespread development and in view of the traffic in animals between the Republic of Ireland and Britain?

Mr. Walker

Yes, we shall certainly be in close contact with the Irish Government and with all people between whom the movement of cattle takes place. The Welsh Office is fully informed of what is happening, and that will remain so. The efforts will be totally co-ordinated between Government Departments. It is only in that way that we can effectively endeavour to prevent the type of outbreak from which Wales suffered so badly 13 years ago.

Mr. Charles Morrison (Devizes)

The present situation is very worrying, but, on previous experience, is it not the case that with previous outbreaks of foot and mouth disease there has been an end of the outbreak in the early spring and summer? Does this not emphasise, therefore, the fact that it is all the more important to exercise maximum movement control on the basis that, with a little luck, this situation will have to exist for only a relatively short period?

Mr. Walker

Yes, it is important that everyone complies with the movement control. In collaboration with various authorities, we shall endeavour to enforce that successfully. My hon. Friend is quite correct when he says that the timing and the weather conditions are very important. I ask all hon. Members who consider that they have any influence on the weather to ask for a dry spell without wind.

Mr. John Home Robertson (Berwick and East Lothian)

Is the Minister aware that the whole House shares his hope that this will not develop into a major outbreak? Will he confirm that in the unhappy event of this outbreak developing into an epidemic his Department will have sufficient staff to cope with it, in spite of the cutbacks that have taken place? Will he also confirm that his Department has access to sufficient funds to foot the bill for compensation resulting from the slaughtering policy?

Mr. Walker

Yes, I assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be no financial limitation upon paying full compensation, which, as he knows, is the market value of the cattle concerned. So there will be no problem concerning that matter.

If there were a massive spread of the disease, more veterinary staff might be needed. I made arrangements this morning that, should ever that moment come, there would be staff available from the veterinary profession as a whole who could quickly be recruited to this task. But, obviously, I do not envisage that that situation will be reached. It was not reached in 1968, and the whole of my veterinary staff are now ready and acting and will be available to deal with the problems.

Mr. Robert Adley (Christchurch and Lymington)

I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Has responsibility for disseminating information to the farming community been transferred from the local police, where it used to reside, to his Department's inspectorate? If so, what discussions took place with those concerned about this matter?

Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that it is urgent that the closure of footpaths in the restricted area should be undertaken at the very earliest opportunity? When will signs and so on be available to farmers?

Mr. Walker

There is power to close all footpaths in infected areas. Certainly that is happening with most farms at the behest of the farmers concerned. Signposts, posters, and so on will very quickly be readily available.

As to informing the public, my hon. Friend said that it used to be the duty of the police. There never was a duty on the police to inform the farmers concerned. The police has responsibility concerning general matters, and some police forces took on themselves the duty of conveying the information to farmers. Those duties previously undertaken by the police were not transferred to the inspector in my Department; they were transferred to local authorities involved. Local authorities have that responsibility.

As to communications, anyone who heard the radio or saw television yesterday will know that all the media were totally briefed throughout the day. In addition, the Department has organised that today there will be posted to every farmer in the affected areas a guide and booklet on how to identify and deal with this problem.

Sir David Price (Eastleigh)

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all of us who come from the infected area in South Hampshire would like to join with the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross) in congratulating him and his Department on their speed of action? Is he aware that we are now entering a migratory season for birds and that there is quite a strong possibility that with prevailing south-west winds the disease could have arrived bird-borne rather than human-borne or animal-borne?

Mr. Walker

Yes. There has been evidence in the past that starlings, in particular, have been carriers of this disease. This is a time when there are considerable movements of starlings and other birds, and they could be carriers. I am afraid that this in one of the dangers of this time of year.

Viscount Cranborne (Dorset, South)

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is almost universal support in Britain for the slaughter policy as opposed to vaccination? Will he also undertake to investigate the particular position of the Isle of Purbeck, in my constituency, from which large parts of the Isle of Wight are visible and where there are clearly understood migratory routes for birds between the two islands? The area is heavily criss-crossed with footpaths going to the seashore. I wonder whether my right hon. Friend will examine the possibility of imposing restrictions on footpaths and access by the public in that area, even though it does not come within the area covered by the Government's restrictions.

Mr. Walker

I take note of my hon. Friend's remarks about the Isle of Purbeck and will immediately consider whether it is sensible to take the action that he suggests. I am grateful for his agreement about the importance of the continuance of the slaughter policy as opposed to vaccination. That is the Government's intention.

Sir Angus Maude (Stratford-on-Avon)

In view of the apparent desire of the European Commission to harmonise almost everything, often to the great inconvenience of the people of this country, will my right hon. Friend say what steps he has taken to persuade France and other partners to harmonise their foot and mouth control measures with ours, which, over the years, appear to have been the only truly effective measures?

Mr. Walker

I understand and sympathise with my right hon. Friend's view. I believe that ours is the correct policy. A number of Governments throughout the world have pursued vaccination policies over the years and argue strongly in support of them. Although I believe that our policies have for the past 13 years been by far the most successful, I do not criticise the French Government, because, when there is an outbreak of the disease in spite of a vaccination policy, they pursue a slaughter policy and take speedy action.

Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson (New Forest)

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we in the New Forest thank him and his staff and the veterinary officers for all they did during the weekend to set up the restricted area? However, is he also aware that many commoners' animals, cattle and ponies are pastured in the forest and are able to roam over a wide area? As the ferry terminal for the Isle of Wight is in my constituency, has my right hon. Friend any plans to order the animals off the forest?

Mr. Walker

No, but we shall look into that point.

Mr. Robin Maxwell-Hyslop (Tiverton)

Will my right hon. Friend share with the House his thoughts about vegetables and eggs coming in from France? Vegetables may be contaminated by birds from farms that are restricted against the movement of people and animals, and the hygiene regulations for eggs in France are notoriously unobserved. French eggs come into British packing stations for repacking. From those packing stations vehicles collect eggs from a widespread number of farms in Britain. Would it not be better to ban imports of eggs and vegetables from France while the emergency lasts?

Mr. Walker

In relation to trade of all types across frontiers, it is important to recognise that there has been movement of goods from areas that have had foot and mouth disease for many years without any form of infection being spread to this country during the past 13 years. Only in recent months, because of my concern over a number of matters concerning the import of eggs, the egg inspectorate has spent considerable time concentrating on the ports, with effective results. That is continuing.

Mr. Alex Pollock (Moray and Nairn)

Has my right hon. Friend been in contact with the Secretary of State for Scotland to ensure that all possible steps are taken to prepare contingency plans against any risks of cross-border infection between England and Scotland?

Mr. Walker

The Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland and myself have been coordinating our efforts. I know that the Secretary of State for Scotland is making sure that all the appropriate Scottish authorities are taking preparatory steps in case anything should happen.

Mr. Nicholas Baker (Dorset, North)

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the slaughter policy is supported by my constituents? I understand the needs of Welsh and Scottish farmers, but will he ensure that there is a concentration of his advisory and veterinary staff in Dorset where the problem currently resides?

Mr. Walker

A substantial number of my veterinary staff from all over the country moved in to the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Dorset during yesterday and have continued to do so today. I am satisfied that there is now adequate veterinery staff to deal with all queries. Any farmer who has any doubt should contact my Department. We would much prefer to have hundreds of cases that proved to be negative than to miss one positive case.

Mr. Mark Hughes (Durham)

First, will the Secretary of State confirm that the Milk Marketing Board's arrangements cover the change from churn to tanker collection? Secondly, will he confirm that the veterinary regulations for small boats crossing the Channel are sufficiently tight? Thirdly, will he ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science to advise local education authorities that at this time school and unversity field trips in the infected area would be ill advised? Finally, will he accept that if any increase in his legal powers is required he will receive the total co-operation of the Opposition?

Mr. Walker

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's latter remark. I have reviewed the considerable powers that are available to us. At the moment I see no gap in those powers, but if I spot one I shall take advantage of the collaborative remarks of the hon. Gentleman.

I shall also take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to contact the appropriate local education authorities. I guess that there is no need to do so, but there is no harm in taking that precaution. We are taking great care about Channel boats and all sorts of movements across the Channel.

On the question of churn-to-tanker collections, I cannot confirm that that is safeguarded. I know that the Milk Marketing Board has a detailed code which resulted from the last infection. I guess that that code covers the present outbreak, but I will check with my Department.