HC Deb 16 October 1941 vol 374 cc1513-4W
Sir E. Bennett

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the successful large-scale experiments in other countries, notably South America, in the cure and prevention of foot-and-mouth disease by antigen injections; and whether he will cause similar experiments to be conducted in this country?

Mr. Hudson

I am aware that experiments in the prevention and cure of foot-and-mouth disease have been made in certain countries with varying degrees of success, but I have no knowledge of the successful results of large-scale experiments in South America to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I may say that this question is kept under continuous review by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee at Firbright, but that there can be no question of abandoning the slaughter policy in favour of methods of prevention and cure so long as it remains possible to control the disease effectively and economically by slaughter.

Sir E. Bennett

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many milch cows and heifers have been slaughtered in consequence of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease since the outbreak of war; how much has been paid in compensation; and whether he can give any estimate of the loss in supplies of milk and of meat involved by slaughter and by standstill orders during this period?

Mr. Hudson

Since the outbreak of war about 11,000 milch cows and heifers have been slaughtered as a result of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain. The carcases of about 6,500 of these animals were salvaged for human consumption. The total compensation paid to farmers in respect of all the animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain since the outbreak of war amounts to about £650,000. It is not possible to estimate the loss of milk. The amount of meat lost is estimated to be about 2,175 tons. No appreciable loss in milk or meat has been occasioned by the operation of standstill orders during the period in question. The loss in milk and meat is, of course, trivial compared with the losses which would have occurred if the animals had not been slaughtered and the outbreaks of disease had not thereby been controlled.