Mr. Beithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests have been used to identify paramyxovirus among pigeons in Cornwall; what have been the results; and whether the virus has been shown to be the pigeon or the poultry form.
Mrs. FennerThe tests used to identify paramyxovirus in pigeons in Cornwall were the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and the virus isolation test. To date test results have confirmed five outbreaks in Cornwall. There is no evidence that in present conditions the virus is affecting poultry.
Mr. Skinnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to trace the source of the outbreak of paramyxovirus affecting racing pigeons in Cornwall;
(2) whether the announcement that paramyxovirus had been diagnosed in racing pigeons in Cornwall was made before a media culture was undertaken on the pigeons;
(3) if he is seeking the co-operation of pigeon fanciers and their racing organisations to ascertain the source of the alleged outbreak of paramyxovirus affecting racing pigeons in Cornwall.
Mrs. FennerStandard veterinary procedures are being followed to identify the source of the outbreaks. Investigations to date provide circumstantial evidence that the disease may have been introduced by stray birds from the continent, where the disease has existed for some time. Liaison with veterinary authorities in neighbouring countries is being maintained. We are keeping very close contact with the Royal Pigeon Racing Association on the disease and related questions and will continue to seek the co-operation of pigeon racing interests in reporting suspect cases.
The announcement that paramyxovirus had been diagnosed in racing pigeons was made in the light of the appearance of clinical disease, which has been confirmed by laboratory tests.
Mr. Skinnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will adopt a policy of vaccinating racing pigeons against paramyxovirus throughout the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. FennerI refer the hon. Member to the rely I gave to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 12 July—[Vol. 19, c. 312.]
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Mr. Skinnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why no veterinarians other than those from his Department were allowed to examine the racing pigeons allegedly infected by paramyxovirus in Cornwall.
Mrs. FennerUnder both the provisions of animal health legislation and well established practice, the state veterinary service is responsible for the provision of advice on how best to deal with disease and undertaking regulatory functions. However, in special circumstances a private practitioner may be licensed to visit an infected premises.
Mr. Beithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many birds have died and how many have been slaughtered in the paramyxovirus outbreak in Cornwall.
Mrs. FennerThe cases of paramyxovirus in racing pigeons diagnosed in Cornwall involve some 300 birds, a small proportion of which have died from the disease. A slaughter policy is not being followed.
Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to introduce a similar policy in relation to racing pigeons to that which exists in relation to poultry where breeders are paid compensation if birds are slaughtered as a result of his Department's intervention.
Mrs. FennerIt is not proposed to apply a slaughter policy in relation to paramyxovirus in racing pigeons.
Under present arrangements the cost of compensation for slaughter of poultry if this were undertaken because of Newcastle disease would be borne under an insurance scheme effected by the industry.