§ 70. Mr. Bullardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the disease leptospirosis has been diagnosed in cattle in Great Britain previous to its diagnosis in the Charollais bulls recently imported from France; how many cases have been reported in the years 1951–61; and how far this is a disease which is carried by rats.
Mr. VaneThe particular type of leptospira to which the three bulls reacted has not been previously discovered in this country. I am advised that rats can be carriers of it, but there is no danger of the disease spreading in this way from the quarantine station in which these bulls are held as it is free from rats.