HC Deb 01 April 1982 vol 21 cc432-3
15. Mr. John Wells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the last case was notified to him of Newcastle disease in poultry in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Fenner

The last notified outbreak of Newcastle disease occurred on a very small scale in Buckinghamshire in April 1978.

Mr. Wells

What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that we remain comparatively disease free?

Mrs. Fenner

The policies that we have adopted have been designed to achieve the highest possible animal health status. Under the new policy applied from September 1981, the use of vaccine is banned. A slaughter policy would be followed, with the cost of compensation met by the industry, in the event of an outbreak. Complementary import controls were introduced to minimise the risk of importing the disease.

Mr. Colin Shepherd

Is there not a substantial incidence of disease in poultry in France? Does that not underline the necessity of maintaining the present policy?

Mrs. Fenner

Yes. That is why we firmly stand by our right to maintain the policy.