Foot-and-Mouth Disease

HC Deb 27 January 1958 vol 581 c3W

57. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has to show whether the new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Beaminster, West Dorset, is a primary one or whether it is related to other recent outbreaks in the area.

Mr. Godber

No connection has been traced between the outbreak at Beaminster and other recent outbreaks in Dorset, and it is therefore considered to be a primary outbreak.

Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the concern caused to British farmers by the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease resulting from imports of Argentine beef; and what steps he is taking to minimise the risk of these outbreaks.

Mr. John Hare

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Sir A. Bossom) on 23rd January. My veterinary officers in the Argentine are in constant and close touch with the authorities there.