§ Mr. G. Wardasked the Minister of Agriculture in which countries fowl pest is known to exist; from which of these countries poultry carcases are imported; what proportion of the total supplies available in this country come from these countries; and what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of fowl pest in the United Kingdom.
Mr. T. WilliamsOutbreaks of fowl pest have been reported from most countries in Europe as well as many parts of Africa, Asia and North America. Some European countries, however, are normally free from the disease, and when sporadic outbreaks occur they are quickly stamped out by the authorities. Imports from such countries are unlikely to cause outbreaks of fowl pest in this country. The only countries where fowl pest is widespread from which poultry may now be imported are Belgium, France, Hungary and Poland, and imports from these countries in 1949 accounted for about 6½ per cent. of the total supplies in the United Kingdom. As to the last part of the question, I would defer the hon. Member to 51W the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) and Guildford (Mr. Nugent) on 13th July.