§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of disease in salmon from Irish rivers to Scottish rivers.
§ Mr. RossI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 26th April and 4th May by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to questions about this disease. I can assure him that similar action is being taken in Scotland to prevent its spread to Scottish rivers. The issue of licences for the importation of salmon and trout eggs into Scotland is being suspended for the present and I have given to the Salmon District Fishery Boards information of the symptoms of the disease so that any appearance of it in Scotland can be immediately detected.
As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Irish authorities have arranged for all affected fish to be destroyed; they do not permit dead salmon to be exported by persons other than licensed dealers and they have arranged for a systematic inspection of all licensed premises. My right hon. Friend and I will continue to keep in close touch with investigations which are still proceeding in Ireland.