§ 48. Sir H. Harrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the action taken by his Department over a recent case of anthrax in his constituency about which the hon. Member for Eye has written to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieThe action taken by my Department in the case of anthrax referred to has been explained to the hon. and gallant Member in the letter I sent him on 19th January. I am satisfied that the necessary veterinary inquiries were made promptly in this case and that the disinfection and other precautions required by the Anthrax Order were carried out. The source of infection in this 85W and other recent outbreaks of anthrax throughout the country is still under investigation. As regards the current incidence of anthrax in Great Britain there is nothing further that I can add at this stage to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 3rd February.
§ 52. Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of anthrax there have been in Wales during the last two months; how this compares with outbreaks during the previous two years.
§ Mr.John MackieThere were 15 out breaks of anthrax in Wales in December last year and 9 last month. This total of 24 compares with totals of 3 and 21 for the same period a year ago and 2 years ago, respectively.
§ 61. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions are being taken to stop the spread of anthrax in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, in view of the recent outbreaks.
§ Mr. John MackieMost outbreaks of anthrax are believed to be caused by anthrax contamination in feedingstuffs. As I indicated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 9th December, my right hon. Friend would not he justified in seeking powers to require the withdrawal of supplies which may come under suspicion.
In all individual cases, the provisions of the Anthrax Order of 1938, designed to prevent any possible spread of disease and the risk of contamination from animals which die from anthrax, are promptly put into operation. The Order requires, among other things, that animals affected or suspected of being affected with the disease must be isolated from other stock: that the carcases of animals which die from anthrax must be effectively destroyed: that no blood must be shed from such carcases: and that there must be adequate cleansing and disinfection of pens, equipment an litter where such animals or carcases have been kept.