HL Deb 23 February 1960 vol 221 cc200-2
EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government—

  1. (a) whether imports of poultry from America are in general banned;
  2. (b) whether poultry has been imported from America for American forces stationed in the United Kingdom;
  3. (c) if so, what quantities have been imported each year for the last five years;
  4. (d) whether Her Majesty's Government consider that any such imports have had any bearing on the incidence of fowl pest in the United Kingdom.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, under orders made under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, landings of live poultry and of uncooked poultry carcases from the United States are prohibited. Nevertheless, as a special and exceptional arrangement, uncooked poultry carcases are allowed to be landed from the United States under licence for exclusive use in United States Air Force messes in this country. The conditions attached to the licence are stringent and include the requirement that facilities must be given to the Agricultural Departments to carry out such inspections, examinations and tests as they may consider necessary. In addition, the Ministry's veterinary staff make periodical reports on the efficiency of the plants used for the disposal of waste products from these poultry. Figures of the quantities of poultry landed under these arrangements are not readily available, but I understand that in 1959 the total was about 350 tons. The Ministry, which carefully investigates every outbreak of fowl pest in this country, has not attributed one single outbreak to poultry procured from the United States for consumption in the United States Air Force messes.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his detailed reply, but would not he agree that if a ban is to be effective it must be a total ban? And would he not further agree that after Her Majesty's Government have spent some £4 million in compensation to people who have suffered through fowl pest, the American authorities should be asked not to import any further chicken carcasses, as an aid to preventing the spread of this most unpleasant form of disease?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, all the evidence we have is that imports under these very strict licences to the American Air Force bases do not result in the spreading of this disease.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, would Her Majesty's Government make representations to the United States Government to the effect that it is quite unnecessary for American poultry to be imported into this country when we ourselves are very large producers of excellent poultry?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, that is not a question that I think should be addressed to Her Majesty's Government. Anybody who feels that way should address that question to the American authorities.