HC Deb 16 November 1965 vol 720 cc58-9W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the comparable incidence of fowl pest in Nottinghamshire in relation to the country as a whole; and if he will give comparative figures for vaccination against fowl pest.

Mr. John Mackie

There have been 121 outbreaks of fowl pest in Nottinghamshire in the 12 months ending October, 1965, as compared with 690 in the whole of England and Wales. At the time when the Ministry ceased to supply subsidised vaccine at the end of March, 1965, it was estimated that vaccine was being used by poultry-keepers at a rate sufficient to provide protection for some three-quarters of the national poultry flock. Information received since from the vaccine manufacturers suggests that this rate is at least being maintained. It is, however, not possible to say how much vaccine is being used in Nottinghamshire, nor what proportion of that county's poultry flocks are being properly protected by a regular programme of vaccination.