§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many cases since 1952 sheep scab has been found in sheep imported into Great Britain; where the sheep came from; and if he will require the dipping of sheep arriving at British ports, and approve for normal farm use the spraying methods which has proved effective and more economical than dipping.
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Mr. AmoryFrom 1st January, 1952, to 31st December, 1956, sheep scab was found among imported sheep at landing places on 47 occasions. 92 animals were affected, of which 88 came from Northern Ireland and 4 from the Irish Republic. Imported store sheep (except those from the Isle of Man) are already required to be dipped in the landing places, but these represent only a small proportion of the total and I will look into the practicability of requiring all sheep to be dipped at the ports. As to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 28th January.