§ 56. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will draw up a voluntary code of conduct for the use of poultry farmers, dealers, distributors, and importers, including the United States armed forces, with a view to reducing the risk of fowl pest.
§ Mr. HareThe precautions necessary against fowl pest have been widely publicised by my Ministry and by others. I understand that the poultry industry is about to embark on a widespread campaign aimed at substantially reducing the incidence of fowl pest and we will gladly give them all the help we can.
The importation of poultry and hatching eggs and uncooked poultry carcases from countries where fowl pest exists is prohibited. Special and exceptional arrangements exist for the importation of uncooked carcases for use in the United States Air Force messes in this 84W country. I am satisfied that the stringent veterinary control measures imposed on these imports are fully observed.
§ 66. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the amount of compensation paid in respect of fowl pest during the latest 12-month period, and the amount spent on research on fowl pest during the same period.
§ Mr. HareThe amount of compensation that will fall to be paid on account of outbreaks of fowl pest during the twelve months ended 30th June, 1960 is approximately£5¼million. It is not possible to assess the cost of research into fowl pest separately from other similar activities at my veterinary laboratories and elsewhere, but the work is not suffering from want of money.