§ Mrs. Tateasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farms free from foot-and-mouth disease have been visited by Ministry officials who have previously visited infected farms; and whether he will prohibit this practice in view of the danger of their spreading the disease?
Mr. HudsonEvery possible step is taken to ensure that the Ministry's officials do not, until they have thoroughly disinfected their hands, clothing and boots, visit premises which are free from foot-and-mouth disease after they have been on farms where the disease exists. It may, of course, occasionally happen that owing to the impossibility of recognising the disease in its very early stages inspectors may visit premises where infection exists and not be aware of the fact.
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