HC Deb 31 July 1961 vol 645 cc122-3W
Mr. Clive Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet able to make a further statement about swine fever.

Mr. Soames

Yes. We have had very useful discussions with the interests concerned and preparations are going ahead for the introduction of a compulsory slaughter policy for swine fever early in the new year. The exact date will be announced later.

All diseased pigs and contacts will be slaughtered and destroyed or buried. Full value will be paid for all pigs slaughtered which show no evidence of swine fever and half value for those which are diseased at the time of slaughter.

Infected premises will be cleansed, disinfected and kept under restriction for fourteen days before restocking is allowed.

In order to keep the incidence of swine fever as low as possible infected area restrictions will be imposed where necessary, but in the case of isolated outbreaks the immediate premises only will be put under restrictions.

Vaccination with crystal violet vaccine will be allowed in the earlier stages of the scheme, but policy on this point will have to be reconsidered in later stages.

We will watch carefully the progress of this Scheme and our hope is that, in a few years, it will lead to the stamping out of swine fever in Great Britain.