HC Deb 17 March 1947 vol 435 cc6-7W
52. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an estimate of the percentage of cattle in England and Wales that is free from tuberculosis: and what is the size of the largest clean area in the country.

Mr. T. Williams

I am afraid that it is not possible to estimate the proportion of cattle which, if tested with tuberculin, would pass the test, but cattle in attested herds in England and Wales comprise about seven and half per cent. of the cattle population. With regard to the latter part of the Question, no sizeable area in the country contains attested herds only, but in the counties of Cardigan and Carmarthen the proportion of the cattle population in attested herds is well over 50 per cent.

53. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications he has received in the last quarter of 1946 from farmers in England and Wales stating they have disposed of, or isolated, their reactor animals; and what average percentage of reactors was still found to be present by his Department's veterinary surgeons on subsequent examination.

Mr. T. Williams

Herds of cattle which have passed two successive tuberculin tests without reactors are eligible for entry to the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme. Applications in respect of 900 herds in England and Wales were received in the last quarter of 1946. The information asked for in the latter part of the Question could only be obtained after detailed examination of all the records concerned.

54. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will estimate how long it should take to attain a universal supply of T.T. milk for the whole country; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all farmers are aware of what has been already achieved and how they may obtain assistance.

Mr. T. Williams

The problems associated with large-scale measures for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis are under discussion with farming and other interests, but I am not prepared to hazard an estimate of the time it would take to free the country from the disease. With regard to the latter part of the Question, statements of the progress made under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme are published from time to time, and a leaflet has recently been issued advising farmers on methods of eradicating the disease from a herd. I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.