§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that facilities exist at cattle markets to carry out the cleansing and disinfection Regulation of vans, floats, and pens as is laid down for the railway companies under the Animals (Transport and General) Amendment Order, 1924?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe requirements of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restriction) Order of 1925, as to the cleansing and disinfection of vans, floats 2563W and other vehicles, fall to be executed and enforced by local authorities, and my right hon. Friend has no information as to the existence or otherwise of special facilities for such disinfection at markets. The Order does not, however, specifically require disinfection at the market, but only "as soon as practicable after each occasion on which the vehicle is so used, and before any other animals or any fodder or any other thing intended to be used for or about animals is placed therein."
§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he contemplates legislation to remove any doubts as to the power of his Department, either through the Ministry's inspectors or through the police, to stop motor vehicles and trailers, used for the conveyance of cattle or stock on the public highways, to ensure that such vehicles have been cleaned or disinfected in accordance with the Animals (Transport and General) Amendment Order, 1924, and to prevent this possible method of spreading infection during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe police and the Ministry's Inspectors have full power under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order of 1925 to stop and examine vehicles used for the transit of animals in infected areas and to require their proper cleansing and disinfection.
§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will issue with the OFFICIAL REPORT the promised statement as to causes of origin of some of the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONIt has not been possible to ascertain definitely the origin of any of the initial outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which have occurred in the course of the present series of cases. There have been some 204 outbreaks distributed over 19 counties since the 25th September last. These 204 cases have resulted from 17 separate centres without any traceable connection with one another. It is probable that infection was originally introduced from the Continent. In Lancashire, the worst infected county where 61 outbreaks have occurred (commencing on 20th October), infection was traced back to Blackburn2564W where as early as the 13th October the market and the leading banks were probably infected. In Wiltshire, the next most heavily infected county where 47 cases have occurred since the 21st October (commencing date), there is likewise no evidence to show the origin of the initial case.