HL Deb 02 August 1966 vol 276 cc1211-2

2.39 p.m.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

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 why, while banning the import of horses from France owing to swamp fever, they have not placed a similar ban on the import of horses from the United States of America.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)

My Lords, it was not thought necessary to ban American horses because the United States Department of Agriculture has adequate control measures and can give satisfactory certificates of freedom from disease.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that swamp fever is at the moment rampant in America and that several race courses in the States have been closed down owing to this disease? Further, is the noble Lord aware that this pernicious anæmia is carried by a fly and it cannot be said whether a horse is immune from it and not a host? I am informed by the highest veterinary authorities that it is impossible to detect, as African horse-sickness is possible to detect.

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I was aware that this disease can be carried by what are called biting flies or inoculations. The information I have regarding the United States is that swamp fever is endemic there, but appears but rarely in racing stables. This is my information up to the present moment. Of course, the danger of carrying it here is much greater from France than from the United States because of the greater interchange of horses between race courses in the two countries.