§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD RATHCAVANMy 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 whether a satisfactory diagnosis has yet been made of the disease now affecting large numbers of salmon entering certain rivers in the South of Ireland; whether this disease is in any way infectious, and if so, whether any steps are being taken to prevent it from spreading into rivers in Great Britain.]
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, the disease is bacterial in character and is therefore likely to be infectious, but the specific bacteria responsible has not yet been identified. The authorities of the Republic of Ireland have arranged for all affected fish to be destroyed, and have introduced a systematic inspection of the 551 premises of all licensed dealers exporting fish. Exports by persons other than licensed dealers are not permitted.
The importation of live salmon and trout into Great Britain is prohibited by the Diseases of Fish Act 1937, and no licences are being issued for the importation of live freshwater fish of other species, or of eggs of any species. These measures should effectively prevent the transmission of the disease to this country through imports of fish or their eggs. The possibility of its transmission by natural means cannot, however, be ruled out, and river authorities have therefore been informed of the symptoms so that any appearance of it in this country will be immediately reported.
My right honourable friend is watching the situation closely and keeping in touch with the Irish authorities.
§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the salmon get this disease when they are still in the sea, or only after they have entered fresh water?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, the scientists who have been looking into this question cannot be absolutely sure, but their examination of fish at the estuaries tend to make them think—and I must be careful here—that it is a disease which they contract in fresh water and not in sea water.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, since an outbreak of this disease is absolutely devastating where it occurs, and ruins a river, will the Minister consider applying to the subject the same strict rules as are applied in the case of foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases, in order to avoid the possibility of English, Welsh or Scottish rivers being contaminated?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, so far as is humanly possible, this is being done. The Irish Republic, of course, are very worried about this problem because their trade to this country is nearly £1 million a year. In order to prevent diseased fish from being exported from there to here, they have increased their inspectorate by some 35 additional inspectors. But, as in the case of foot-and-mouth disease, we cannot be sure that we can stop it from 552 coming in on birds' feet or in some such way; but that is by natural means.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEYes; but we ban the entry of animals, do we not, when there is a threat?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, of course the fish imported are dead fish which have been carefully inspected. Those concerned feel reasonably sure that this should provide an adequate control.
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I should like to ask Her Majesty's Government this. Is it not a fact that there is overwhelming evidence that this disease is known as columnaris, and that is has been known as such in the Republic of Ireland since the autumn of 1964? Further—and I fear this is not a question —there is overwhelming evidence that it is spread in the estuaries and rivers and not in fresh water. Should Her Majesty's Government wish for evidence of this kind, I shall be quite happy to supply them with it.
§ LORD CHAMPIONI am not sure that that was a question, but certainly it contained a lot of information which we shall consider. The question as to whether it is columnaris is, of course, one which is being investigated. The scientists are not quite sure that it is, but it appears to be closely related.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that question, would the Government take steps to ensure that progress reports on the investigation of the disease are made public, through the technical angling papers and the fish industry's papers in this country?
§ LORD CHAMPIONWell, my Lords, I will of course bring the noble Lord's point to the attention of my right honourable friend. That is all I can do at the moment.
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, would Her Majesty's Government like the evidence, which I have at my disposal, that this disease is spread in estuaries?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, we are concerned about any information that can be given in this matter and of course we shall be happy to receive it.
§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether there is any 553 truth in the statement I saw in the Press the other day, that salmon now entering at any rate the Blackwater River are less diseased than they were a month or two ago?
§ LORD CHAMPIONYes, my Lords. I should not like to apply it to a particular river, but the disease does seem to have a peak and then a trough. I think that in the river mentioned by the noble Lord we have now reached a trough.